Nikkei

The FTSE continued to feed off global optimism in early trading on Thursday, extending yesterday's 1.5% gain.

The FTSE climbed 1.1% this morning to 5,724.37 after rumours of more quantitative easing from the Federal Reserve gained momentum last night.

Miners relinquished some of yesterday's gains in early trading on Thursday, pulling the FTSE more than 20 points lower to 5,659.

The yen has hit a 15-year high against the US dollar against a backdrop of inaction by the Japanese Government.

The FTSE 100 opened up 0.18% or 9.37 points to 5,204.65 boosted by bid activity in the financial sector.

The FTSE 100 index rose by 0.7% to 5063.7 points in early trading led by Royal Bank of Scotland, which edged closer to significant asset sales.

The FTSE 100 opened higher in early trading by 20.32 points(0.39%) to 5231.50 as investors become more optimistic about prospects for a global recovery.

Miners are among the early fallers on the FTSE as European markets tumble following a ban on naked short-selling in Germany.

The FTSE suffered a sharp drop in afternoon trading to close more than 3% in the red as concerns over EU debt and another Greece bomb attack rattled markets.

The FTSE was 0.9% or 50.47 points lower in early trading at 5383.26 amid fears Europe's austerity measures will slow the global recovery.