Markets

Japanese equities tumbled last night after a second day of market volatility, but the move in Asia failed to drag UK markets lower this morning as traders drew a line in the sand following savage falls over the past week.

The Bank of International Settlements (BIS) has warned of a potentially 'violent' market crash as financial markets are dangerously stretched.

The amount of private wealth held by households rose by 14% last year, fuelled by rising stock markets.

The FTSE 100 opened above 6,700 on Friday as a pick-up in Chinese manufacturing data boosted mining stocks.

The FTSE 100 continued to recover today as banks lifted the index higher on signs that some of the instability in Europe is coming to an end.

Cyprus' plan for an unprecedented 10% tax on savers has been dubbed a "monumental error of judgement" by one commentator, but it does leave some assets looking attractive.

Wall Street opened higher today as optimism from early-stage talks in Congress about tackling the US fiscal cliff spread to markets worldwide.

Key Asian markets showed resilience from global growth fears as the main Hong Kong and Chinese stock markets rallied strongly overnight, though Japanese stocks bucked the trend.

Global markets sold off this morning as bullish sentiment over central bank moves showed signs of losing momentum.

The FTSE 100 looks set to replicate the falls seen in Asian markets overnight as weak manufacturing data from China dragged on shares and sent metal prices downwards.