nikkei 225

Japan's Nikkei 225 plunged by the most in 13 months today as global markets continue to be spooked by concerns Greece's debt crisis could spill over into Europe.

Miners fell sharply this morning on news the Australian Government plans to introduce a new 40% tax on resource projects from July 2012.

The FTSE was steady at 5620.88 points this morning, despite rating cuts from brokers and a downbeat assessment on the UK economy by a major think-tank.

The FTSE 100 opened lower in early trading, falling 0.24% or 13.76 points to 5740.09, despite a raft of positive earnings announcements.

The FTSE 100 fell 0.16% to 5,774.29 in early trading, despite British Airways shares rising this morning.

Miners rebounded from yesterday's falls to lead the way in early trading this morning, driving the FTSE 100 up 22.3 points (0.4%) to 5,784.

The FTSE 100 has opened 0.06% or 3.24 points lower to 5,774 in early trading as rises in retail stocks were offset by falling mining shares.

The FTSE climbed 0.9%, or 49 points this morning, boosted by British Airways and mining stocks.

Broker downgrades and companies going ex-dividend pulled the FTSE index 25 points, or 0.4% lower this morning.

A decision by the US Federal Reserve to keep interest rates on hold boosted sentiment in London this morning.