FTSE

London investors are still wary after last week's request by Dubai World for a six-month standstill on debt repayments raised concerns about possible default.

European shares were lower this morning in early trading (FTSE Eurofirst 300 -0.6%; FTSE 100 -0.6%).

In London, shares opened up strongly this morning with the FTSE 100 up 1.7%, as miners and energy stocks were driven by buoyant commodity prices.

British pride has taken a knock recently as both Germany and France this month reported their economies had expanded for the second consecutive quarter. Britain is pinning its hopes on the Q4 of 2009 bringing an end to its recession.

Skandia has appointed Cohen & Steers to manage its $300m Reits Global Property Securities fund in place of La Salle Investment Management, which had run the fund since its launch in 2005.

US equities finished higher in another round of fairly quiet trading on Wednesday, underpinned by upbeat economic data out of China and Japan overnight.

After falling on Tuesday, European markets opened up this morning boosted by banks and oil as investors await more corporate results.

The FTSE 100 opened 0.5% down as banks fell on news Qatar's sovereign wealth fund had sold stock in Barclays.

F&C Stewardship funds aspire to proactive engagement

European markets have broadly continued gaining on Wednesday's highs, following encouraging US earnings and the resulting strength in US markets.