FTSE

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.

European markets have opened very strongly this morning with the DJ Euro Stoxx 600 up 1% and the FTSE All-Share up 1.3%.

Markets opened to a volatile start this morning after shares made major gains on improvements in the commodities market.

The FTSE 100 has fallen below the 5,000 point barrier for the first time since 10 September.