Markets: FTSE boosted as focus shifts to US jobs rebound

(Image credit: 2012 Getty Images)

By The Week Staff

last updated 8 July 2016

Updated: 9.19am BST

Investors focus today has shifted from the UK to the US, where a critical US jobs report is due to be released later today
A private sector survey earlier this week suggested a big rise in employment, which if it was confirmed would add to a slew of recent positive data
Strong economic performance across the pond has helped to ease Brexit-related jitters
But trading the UK and across Europe could be choppy as sentiment remains skittish, not least since a poll revealed the biggest fall in Briton's consumer confidence in 20 years
The FTSE 100 was up 0.2 per cent to 6,544 in early trading. It was being led higher by a relief rally in some stocks that have been hammered since the referendum result
Housebuilers Taylor Wimpey, Barratt Developments and Persimmon were the top three after the first hour, with rises in excess of 2.5 per cent
The more domestically-focused FTSE 250 was up 0.8 per cent to 16,031. It was still some eight per cent below its peak ahead of the Brexit vote
Sterling is also more firm this morning, after hitting a new 31-year earlier this week. But it remains below $1.30 and analysts are still bearish on its prospects in the near future
Across Europe the German Dax wass up 0.7 per cent and the French Cac 40 by 0.3 per cent. The wider FTSE Euroefirst 300 was advancing 0.2 per cent
Wall Street was essentially flat yesterday ahead of the jobs report and influenced by a slumping oil price. Futures indicate the S&P 500 will be essentially unmoved later, too - but the jobs data will change that one way or another
BRent crude slumped back below $47 a barrel on a surprise rise in US reserves. Gold remains mostly unchanged since yesterday, at around $1,355 an ounce

After two days of decline fuelled by renewed post-Brexit jitters, markets were rebounding handily today
A strong Wall Street session on the back of strong services sector data, coupled with an oil price rally on a positive IEA report, is helping to calm nerves
The S&P 500 added 0.5 per cent - and was a further 0.3 per cent up this afternoon on the back of a strong jobs report. Brent crude oil is back above $49 a barrel
Fears over global growth have mounted since the referedum result, but as yet there is limited solid evidence of a slowdown in the real economy
Brittle sentiment lurks beneath the surface, however, and the shuttering of more UK commercial property funds in particular could prompt more volatility in the near future
The FTSE 100 had risen 1.7 per cent to 6,571 heading towards the final half hour
Primark owner Associated British Foods was leading the way with a rise of more than ten per cent
In an update this morning the company said the slump in the pound against the euro would boost sterling profits this year, confirming commentary that UK blue chip stocks would benefit from currency devaluation
The pound hit a new 31-year low yesterday of less than $1.28 against the dollar - and it was close to €1.16 against the euro. It had recovered to €1.30 and €1.17 this morning
Elsewhere banks are rallying, with RBS and Lloyds up around nine and seven per cent. Both are still well down since the referendum
The more domestically-focused FTSE 250 was up two per cent to 15,983
Across Europe there were early rises too, with the German Dax up one per cent, the French Cac 40 1.5 per cent and the Italian FTSE MIB 0.4 per cent
Overnight the Hong Kong Hang Seng continued its positive run and added 1.1 per cent, while the exporter-heavy Japanese Nikkei lost 0.7 per cent as the yen continued to stengthen
Gold has retreated a little from its latest two-year high, but its still strong at $1,355 an ounce

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News that growth in the UK services sector has been sharply hit by Brexit fears, and that a liquidity crisis has hit major commercial property funds, caused a fresh slump in the pound overnight
Sterling hit another new 31-year low of below $1.28 to the dollar at one point, before recovering only slightly to around $1.29
Markets in general had a bad day yesterday as worries over the effects of the referendum on global growth hit investor sentiment around the world. Safe haven like gold rose in response
The FTSE 100 bucked the wider trend, as its exporter constituents benefitted from the slump in the pound and traders were buoyed by the pledge of £150bn of fresh liquidity from the Bank of England
This was continuing this morning, but the resilience did not see out the morning as tremors finally caught up with the UK benchmark
The FTSE 100 was down 1.5 per cent in the final hour to 6,450. This is still 1.8 per cent above its pre-referendum peak
The more domestically-focused FTSE 250, which is more sensitive to UK economic worries, was 0.8 per cent lower to 15,608. This is almost 10 per cent lower than before the Brexit result was announced
Wider European markets are even more sharply down, with the German, French and Italian bourses down 2.3, 2.4 and 2.8 per cent respectively
Overnight the Japanese Nikkei was hit again by another rise in the safe haven yen, losing 1.9 per cent. In Hong Kong the Hang Seng shed 1.1 per cent
US markets returned from a one-day holiday to retreat from near-record highs on Tuesday, with the S&P 500 losing 0.7 per cent, even despite positive recent economic data
Again there was positive economic data today, in the form of very strong services sector exansion for July, and this is limiting losses on Wall Street. The S&P 500 is down 0.5 per cent to 2,078
Oil is back below $48 a barrel amid the wider risk-off move, while gold is holding near its overnight two-year high of $1,369 an ounce

Markets took a sharp turn for the worse on Monday afternoon, as Brexit worries were exacerbated by figures showing a sharp contraction in the UK construction sector in June
Benchmark bourses across the continent turned negative for the first time in five sessions, triggering a sell-off in Asia overnight
Today most indices are falling again - all except the FTSE 100, that is, which is benefitting from a renewed slump in the pound to a 31-year low
Sterling is down 1.7 per cent at just $1.3069 against the dollar, after Mark Carney warned Brexit risks were "crystallising" and outlined £150bn in liquidity to boost lending to businesses and people
He also mentioned other tools at the Bank of England's disposal, a further hint that rates will be cut further towards zero
The FTSE 100 is 0.3 per cent higher, to 6,542. It remains three per cent above its pre-referendum level - and 12 per cent above post-vote intraday lows of last week
Housebuilders are being battered again, though, with Barratt down nearly eight per cent. Most of the big guns in the sector have shed more than a third of their value in the past two weeks
The FTSE 250 is down a sharp 2.2 per cent to 15,7358, although this is off earlier lows
Across Europe the German Dax and French Cac 40 are down around 1.8 per cent, while Italy's FTSE MIB is down 1.3 per cent
Overnight the Hong Kong Hang Seng lost 1.2 per cent and the Japanese Nikkei shed 0.7 per cent
Wall Street was closed on Monday but the S&P 500 has lost 0.8 per cent from near-record levels since re-opening this afternoon
Brent crude oil has slipped back to around $48 a barrel, while gold has jumped back to $1,350 an ounce

Global equity benchmarks were generally holding or even extending their post-Brexit rallies on Monday
Headline indices that are home to globally-focused companies are benefitting from a more accomodative monetary policy stance from central banks
According to the FT there is also a view that Britain may not actually leave the EU, or at least not the single market, and that if it does the globally fallout can be contained
But smaller markets in more vulnerable European countries, as well as the domestically focused FTSE 250 at home, are still struggling to make up lost ground
And in fact as the day has worn on even the enthusiam on main markets has run out, leading the first loss for the FTSE 100 and its peers in five sessions
The UK's benchmark is down 0.8 per cent to 6,527, retreating from Friday's 10-month high
It's being dragged lower in particular by housebuilders, which continues to be battered by traders wary of a housing market slowdown. British Land Co is leading the downward move, down 7.3 per cent
Other constituents are being helped by a weak pound that will boost overseas sales. Sterling is up slightly on Monday but still near its recet 30-year low at below $1.33 against the dollar
The FTSE 250 is down 2.1 per cent to 16,127. This means it remains around seven per cent below its pre-referendum peak
Around Europe the German Dax and French Cac 40 are down 0.6 and 0.8 per cent, while in harder-hit Italy, where a new banking crisis has erupted, the FTSE MIB is down 1.6 per cent
Wall Street rose again on Friday, with the S&P 500 closing just 30 points below its record level at 2,103
US markets are closed on Monday for the Independence Day holiday. This means trading is quite thin the afternoon boost from the other side of the Atlantic in recent sessions is absent
Overnight in Asia the session was mostly positive, with the Japanese adding 0.6 per cent and Hong Kong Hang Seng 1.2 per cent
Brent crude oil is holding above $50 a barrel, while gold hit a new 2016 high and is currently up 1.2 per cent at close to $1,352 an ounce

Markets were mixed on Friday morning, after a speech yesterday afternoon by Mark Carney
He strongly hinted the Bank of England would bring forward stimulus measures this summer, including most likely a cut to interest rates from their already record low
The pound immediately fell back to close to its 31-year low on Tuesday - and has recovered only marginally today to $1.33
In contrast, the FTSE 100 surged into the close and, having swung wildly this morning it is now surging for the fourth consecutive session and has hit a 10-month high
The UK benchmark is 1.2 per cent higher to 6,582. It's globally-focused constituents are benefitting from a weaker pound and it is now 13 per cent above its pre-referendum result level
The more domestically-focused FTSE 250 is similarly up 1.2 per cent for the day at 16,461 - but it remains around five per cent below its pre-referendum peak
Banks are having another bad day so far, with Royal Bank of Scotland off another one per cent
Elsewhere in Europe the German Dax and French Cac 40 are around 1.1 per cent higher. The Spanish Ibex 35is 1.4 per cent higher, while the Italian FTSE MIB is up 0.6 per cent
On Wall Street yesterday evening the Dow Jones and S&P 500 jumped around 1.3 per cent, with the latter landing 100 points above its Monday intraday low at 2,098. Both are around 0.4 per cent higher again this afternoon
Asian markets were also mostly positive overnight, with the Japanese Nikkei adding 0.7 per cent despite poor economic data and the Hong Kong Hang Seng advancing 1.8 per cent
Oil remains rooted at around $50 a barrel, where it appears to have settled since the first Brexit sell-off concluded, while gold is moving higher, at $1,338 an ounce

A strong two-day rally that kicked in after a major markets slump in the wake of the Brexit vote had receded back this morning
This after the FTSE 100 recovered all of its post-Brexit losses in the past two sessions, as sentiment towards larger exporters benefits from the falling pound.
But after touching as much as 0.5 per cent lower, the benchmark index has swung back into the black for a third day. It is up by 0.4 per cent to 6,386 in volatile trading
Now also into a third day of gains, the more domestically-focused FTSE 250 is up 0.7 per cent to 16,115. It remains around six per cent down on its pre-referendum high
At below $1.34, the pound is the fly in the ointment and is back in the red for the day. It's heading for its sixth-worst monthly performance ever
Bank stocks are still also well down, with Royal Bank of Scotland down almost six per cent and around a third since last Thursday
Elsewhere in Europe markets are a bit more mixed but mostly positive, with the French Cac 40 up 0.3 per cent and the Italian FTSE MIB 0.2 per cent. In Spain the Ibex 35 is back into losses and down 0.2 per cent
Bourses around the world are benefitting from central bank support and a general sense that monetary policy will become looser
Yesterday evening Wall Street's benchmarks, the Dow Jones and S&P 500, rose strongly around 1.7 per cent, responding as much to recent positive data on the domestic economy as to post-Brexit fears easing
Both are up again today, by 0.1 and 0.2 per cent, and the S&P has recovered more than two-thirds of its Brexit-induced losses
Overnight Asian indices were mostly positive if mixed, with the Nikkei adding 0.1 per cent to set a fourth consecutive day of gains and the Hong Kong Hang Seng jumping 1.3 per cent
Brent crude oil recovered to $50 a barrel yesterday but is losing some ground today, while gold dipped further and is below $1,318 an ounce

A Brexit bounce-back has extended into a second day, with the pound firm, UK stock market indices rising and bourses around Europe also continuing to regain ground
Sterling is up 1.3 per cent against the dollar to above $1.35
The FTSE 100 and FTSE 250 are both significantly higher, by 2.6 per cent and 2.9 per cent respectively to 6,301 and 15,953
The FTSE 100 has nearly erased post-Brexit losses, but in the case of the FTSE 250 it remains down by around eight per cent
Banks shares had been among the top risers this morning - they're also still way off pre-referendum highs - but miners have risen to the top this afternoon as commodities recover
Some analysts are saying that the relief rally is obviously welcome, it should be treated with caution
Grant Lewis at Daiwa told the FT that after ejection from the ERM in 1992 the pound staged a few recoveries but took five months to bottom out - and at 30 cents below the level at which the first rebound took place
Elsewhere in Europe the German Dax is 1.4 per cent higher, the French Cac 40 2.3 per cent, the Spanish Ibex 35 by 3.1 per cent and the Italian FTSE MIB by 1.9 per cent
Brent crude oil is up 2.2 per cent to above $49 a barrel, while gold is slightly lower since yesterday at $1,320 an ounce
Last night in the US the Dow Jones and S&P 500 joined the rally, not least because of better-than-expected economic data for the third quarter
They finished up 1.8 and 1.6 per cent respectively - and up another one per cent this afternoon as they too look to erase post-Brexit losses
In Asia the overnight session was mostly positive, with the Japanese Nikkei even shrugging off both a stronger yen and weak consumer sales data to rise 1.6 per cent
Global markets are being helped at this time by signs that central banks will even more accommodative on monetary policy than they have been to offset Brexit effects

Things are much calmer on UK markets today and a relief rally has taken hold as bargain-hunters go shopping for post-Brexit discounts
The FTSE 100 closed below 6,000 for the first time since the week before the EU referendum yesterday after a hefty 2.6 per cent fall, while the pound touched another 31-year low against the dollar
Even more telling, the domestic-economy focused FTSE 250 whose constituents will benefit less from the falling pound boosting overseas sales fell by seven per cent for the second session in a row
This marks the worst performance since 1987 and highlights trader fears of a post-referendum recession
Today, though, the FTSE 100 and FTSE 250 are up 2.8 and 3.8 per cent respectively, to 6,151 and 15,538
They are both a long way from making back the losses incurred in recent sessions and they're off earlier highs - it remains to be seen if overall gains can be held through today
Among the biggest gainers are those economic bellwether shares that were battered in the wake of the Leave win being announced. Lloyds Banking Group is up 6.8 per cent
The pound has recovered a bit this morning, up 1.2 per cent against the dollar to close to $1.34
In wider Europe, the German and French benchmarks are up 2.1 and 2.7 per cent, while the worst-affected Spanish and Italian indices are rising 2.8 per cent and four per cent
US markets closed lower yesterday, with the S&P dropping below 2,000 before recovering to close 1.8 per cent down
After an upgrade to third quarter growth figures they've joined the upward move this afternoon, adding around one per cent
Japanese markets closed lower overnight, but only by a marginal 0.1 per cent as the yen softened. Chinese markets are mixed after the central bank set the currency reference rate lower
Gold is easing back as equities and risk assets improve, to $1,322 an ounce. Brent crude oil is still lingering around $48 a barrel

A statement from George Osborne this morning appeared to have settled markets - but the Financial Times noted the "overall mood is grim"
The chancellor stated that the UK economy entered the current period of Brexit undertainty "from a position of strength" and that the UK remains "open for business"
He also reiterated that the process of unravelling EU membership - and of adjusting public finances - could wait for a new prime minister in the autumn
However, the FT went on to note later that the effects of the speech, which contained little in the way of new information or pledges, "didn't last long"
Having steadied from an initial drop of one per cent to just 0.3 per cent at one point, the FTSE 100 is now down more than 2.3 per cent and has fallen below the important 6,000 threshold
Optimists will cling to the fact that the index remains above its low the week before the referendum - but it remains to be seen for how long that is the case
Easyjet is leading the fallers with a precipitous decline of 23 per cent, after it warned the Brexit vote would hit profits
Banks are also still tumbling, with Barclays down 17 per cent and the Royal Bank of Scotland down 16 per cent and at its lowest level since 2009
Miners are helping to offset some of these huge hits, as industrial commodities bounce back from recent lows
The pound is heading sharply lower again and earlier passed through the $1.32 barrier, in the process setting a new 31-year low against the dollar
Across the world around $2trn was wiped off markets at the end of last week, marking the worst session since the financial crisis
A mixed bag of trends earlier has settled into another picture of accelerating declines everywhere today as well
In wider Europe the German Dax is down 2.8 per cent and the French Cac 40 3.2 per cent. The Spanish and Italian bourses, hit hardest at the end of last week, are down 1.8 and a massive 4.4 per cent respectively today
The Dow Jones and S&P 500 slumped 3.4 and 3.6 per cent on Friday - and they're plummeting again after re-opening today, by 1.8 and 2.1 per cent in early trading in New York
The S&P 500 is in fact below 2,000 for the first time since March and heading lower currently, as volatility persists
Asian shares bounced back a little overnight after their fall on Friday, with the Nikkei recovering 2.4 per cent on hopes of central bank intervention to calm rises in the yen
As for commodities, Brent crude oil has resumed its slide and gone below $48 a barrel, while gold has made further ground and is currently at $1,330 an ounce

Global markets are in shock at the decision of the UK to leave the European Union - and of prime minister David Cameron to stand down as prime minister
Bets had run up on expectations of a Remain victory in recent days and yesterday, when the FTSE 100 advanced strongly and the pound hit a new 2016 high
Overnight the pound endured its worst one-day fall ever - and the third largest ever for a major global currency - as it hit a 30-year low against the dollar at a little above $1.30
The FTSE 100 opened up this morning around eight per cent lower, wiping £120bn off its value
Since then things have calmed - not least because the Bank of England has pledged £250bn of liqudity to reassure markets and analysts are predicting rates will be cut to zero
In fact, The Guardian is reporting that traders are mostly buying up bargains amid a sense that the market has been "oversold"
The FTSE 100 is still down steeply by around 2.7 per cent to 6,166 - and it has just started heading south again after a steadily this afternoon, suggesting a late slump is on the cards
Housebuilders are being hammered, with Taylor Wimpey, Persimmon and Barratt Developers all down by around 25 per cent or even more
Banks are also crashing, with Lloyds losing 21 per cent, Barclays 18 per cent, and RBS 15 per cent
Among the few risers is a classic defensive play on gold, with miner Rangold up 13 per cent. Silver miner Fresnillo is up 12 per cent and British American Tobacco 2.9 per cent
In wider Europe markets are still being crushed, with benchmarks in Spain and Italy, two exposed southern eurozone states, plummeting in excess of 10 per cent
In Japan shares tanked by almost eight per cent overnight as investors flocked to the safe haven yen
Global central banks say they are on standby to intervene to shore up markets
The Swiss National Bank has already stepped in to weaken the franc in an effort to counter the inflationary effect of the plunging pound
David Cameron appealed for traders to focus on the UK's continuing economic strengths
On commodities markets oil fell fast too - Brent was last down around four per cent to $48.70 - and gold is surging by a similar percentage, to $1,315

Investors in the UK are once again trading up the FTSE 100 and are backing the pound, which hit a new 2016 high this morning, as they bet on a Remain win in today's EU referendum
But after peaking in frenzied trading around lunchtime, when the FTSE 100 was 1.9 per cent higher, stocks and sterling are softening into the close as jitters over the outcome of the poll resurface
Stock markets across the world, risk-based commodities such as oil, and both the pound and its implied volatility are all still in decent positive territory for the day, though
Kit Juckes at Societe Generale told the FT that the recent rally means risks from the poll are "asymmetric": the upside on a Remain win is limited, but the downside on a Leave win is huge
The FTSE is up 0.3 per cent to 6,282. Economic bellwether stocks are doing well, with Barclays for example adding 1.9 per cent
In wider Europe the German Dax is up one per cent, while the French Cac 40 is up 0.9 per cent. The broader FTSE Eurofirst 300 is up 0.5 per cent
In Asia overnight the Japanese Topix added 1.1 per cent, while the Hang Seng is set to add 0.3 per cent by the close. The Shanghai Composite dipped 0.5 per cent
Some late afternoon nerves - and a fall in the oil price - left Wall Street marginally lower on Wednesday, with the Dow Jones and S&P 500 losing 0.3 and 0.2 per cent
But the US benchmarks are doing well on Thursday afternoon, up 0.7 and 0.8 per cent. In addition to the Remain rally, they are responding to positive domestic jobless and manufacturing data
The gold price is lower for the day as safe haven demand wanes, at $1,263 an ounce

On the day before the historic EU referendum vote in the UK market sentiment is almost entirely being driven by how the market sees the chance of Brexit
This has become a global issue: if Britain leaves the EU a recession in the UK and Europe is said to be possible and the world economy will take a hit
But markets are edging up for a third day and RBC Capital Markets noted traders are effectively pricing the chance of a Leave victory at just 25 per cent
The FTSE 100 is up 1.2 per cent at 6,299. Financials, house builders and other stocks that take a lead from macroeconomic data are leading the way, with Hargreaves Lansdown up 4.2 per cent
In wider Europe the German Dax is up 1.1 per cent and the French Cac 40 0.9 per cent. The FTSE Eurofirst 300 is advancing 0.8 per cent
On Wall Street last night the two main benchmarks benefitted from the anti- Brexit vibe and mollifying comments from Janet Yellen on rate rises, which she said would be gradual
The Dow Jones and S&P 500 finished up 0.1 and 0.3 per cent. They've opened up again this afternoon, by 0.4 and 0.3 per cent
Chinese markets were higher overnight, with the Hong Kong Hang Seng adding 0.7 per cent, but Japense markets were rattled by further yen gains and the Nikkei fell 0.6 per cent
Oil continues hover above the $50 a barrel level it recovered this week, while gold is still dipping slightly at $1,267 an ounce

The 'Remain rally' that sent stocks soaring on Monday took a breather at the open in Europe this morning
But the mood is still positive as traders become more optimistic that the UK will vote to stay in Europe on Thursday following recent polls, helping stocks to rise through the day
In the UK, the FTSE 100 had been as much as 0.5 per cent lower at one point in the opening minutes of trading - but it has since recovered
Gains remain modest at around 0.1 per cent in a more cautious session, with the index at 6,211. Financials and especially insurers are doing well, with RSA, Prudential and Direct Line all advancing 1.5 per cent
Elsewhere in Europe early declines have reversed into solid gains, with the German Dax up 0.6 per cent, the French Cac 40 up 0.7 per cent and the FTSE Eurofirst 300 up 0.6 per cent
As the Yen continued to lose ground, Japanese markets rose again overnight and the Nikkei added 1.3 per cent. The Hong Kong Hang Seng jumped 0.8 per cent, but the Shanghai Composite lost around 0.3 per cent
Wall Street had ended higher after its Monday session, with the Dow Jones and S&P 500 advancing 0.7 and 0.6 per cent
After Janet Yellen signalled caution on rate rises and amid the more positive Brexit sentiment, the two are making further marginal gains after re-opening this afternoon
On commodities markets, oil has consolidated a little but remains in a much stronger position with Brent holding around $50 a barrel
If the UK stays in the EU it should help to contain the dollar and prevent an anticipated downturn in Europe, both of which are seen as key demand indicaters for oil
Gold is taking a bit of a hit amid the equities uplift, falling 1.6 per cent to $1,268 an ounce

Remain has surged back into contention in recent EU referendum polls - and could get a further boost from the first polls taken after the horrific murder of anti-Brexit MP Jo Cox
This is boosting global market sentiment that had been shaken in recent weeks by fears of a Leave victory, which most reckon would hit the EU and world economy
In response to the latest surveys, a risk-on rally is taking place that is causing stocks to surge and oil to return to $50
The FTSE 100 is up a no less than 2.9 per cent, with financials, house builders and other economically-sensitive shares leading the way
Lloyds is out in front with a surge of 7.4 per cent, while Royal Bank of Scotland is up 6.9 per cent
Elsewhere in Europe there are huge jumps in a similar order of magnitude. The German Dax is up 3.2 per cent, while the French Cac 40 and FTSE Eurofirst 300 are up 3.4 per cent
Asia was mostly positive overnight, with the Japanese Topix adding 2.3 per cent and the Hong Kong Hang Seng advancing 1.8 per cent
Wall Street's two benchmarks are doing well after re-opening and following a dour end to last week. The Dow Jones and S&P 500 are up 1.4 and 1.3 per cent
In the next four days polling will be crucial and any volatility in the implied probability of Brexit will be reflected, most likely in an exaggerated fashion, on markets
Gold is dipping back, but the ongoing brittleness of sentiment is keeping it high by recent standards. The spot price is down 0.5 per cent to $1,286 an ounce

Another respite rally was taking place across markets on Friday morning, led in the UK by Lloyds after it settled a long-running legal battle with bondholders that will save it around £1bn in interest payments in the coming years
But as the day has gone on the prevailing fears over a UK Brexit from the European Union, with knock-on effects for the global economy, have taken hold again
The FTSE 100 has held firmest in Europe and remains 0.9 per cent higher and back above 6,000. Lloyds is surging 5.1 per cent, while its sector rival Barclays is up 4.2 per cent
Elsewhere the Germand Dax and French Cac 40 have seen gains pared significantly, with the advance for the day down to 0.6 and 0.5 per cent. The wider FTSE Eurofirst 300 is up 0.8 per cent
Overnight in Japan there was a strong rebound following a severe slump on Thursday, with the Nikkei adding more than one per cent. The Hong Kong Hang Seng added 0.8 per cent and the Shanghai Composite 0.4 per cent
US markets had also closed higher earlier, with the Dow Jones and S&P 500 advancing 0.5 and 0.3 per cent
But US markets are resuming their slide along with the darker mood this afternoon, with the two benchmarks losing 0.4 and 0.2 per cent in early Friday trading in New York
This comes at time when oil is steadier after falls over multiple sessions, with Brent crude up 2.6 per cent and above $48.40 a barrel. This is still well down on last week's peak of $53
Gold is losing a bit of ground amid the equities snap-back, losing 0.4 per cent to $1,290 an ounce

As expected, two central bank meetings yesterday ended with no change to policy as concerns mount over the ripple effects from a potential Brexit and a worsening economic outlook
In the US, the Fed's decision not to increase rates was expected - but there was also a softening of projections for future hikes. This amounts to a significantly more dovish stance than the last meeting in May
In Japan, on the other hand, a decision not to engage in a further stimulus drive is more hawkish in nature and sent the yen surging, to the detriment of export stocks
The net result of this was the same, in that markets in both countries fell - but the declines were on a very different scale
On Wall Street the S&P 500 and Dow Jones reversed earlier gains into losses at the close of around 0.2 per cent. They've fallen further after re-opening this afternoon, by 0.9 and 0.8 per cent
In Japan the Nikkei plummeted 3.5 per cent. This influenced the wider Asian trend, with the Hong Kong Hang Seng losing two per cent and the Shanghai Composite shedding 0.5 per cent
European markets are following this negative move, reversing respite gains made yesterday after several sessions of sharp losses
In the UK the FTSE 100 is down 0.8 per cent to 5,919, improving marginally from an opening loss of one per cent. Resources, financials and economically-sensitive stocks are falling the hardest, with Anglo American down 3.8 per cent
Investor sentiment at home has also been hit by the latest poll putting the Leave camp in the lead ahead of the EU referendum next week
On the continent, the German Dax is down 1.4 per cent, while the French Cac 40 and FTSE Eurofirst 300 have lost 1.1 per cent
Today has also seen a fresh fall in the oil price on demand concerns, with Brent crude dropping below $48 a barrel this afternoon
Gold is benefitting from a rush to safe havens, jumping above $1,300 an ounce. The spot price is up 2.1 per cent to $1,313

Markets in Europe are bouncing back on Wednesday, following a mostly positive Asian session overnight
But this comes off the back of steep declines in recent days - including even a dip at the close in New York yesterday evening - as sentiment is increasingly driven by the impending referendum on the UK's EU membership
Polls have shifted significantly to Leave in the last couple of weeks even despite warnings of negative consequences for the economy
Central bank meetings are likely to be dominated by this issue in the coming week, with policy likely to be left on tentative hold
The FTSE 100 is up 1.3 per cent to 5,997, having fallen two per cent on Tuesday to the lowest level in several months
Financials, resources and other economically-sensitive stocks that were punished yesterday are rebounding today, with Glencore leading the way with a rise of 6.7 per cent
Wider European markets are also on the rise, with the German Dax up 1.3 per cent and the French Cac 40 1.6 per cent higher. The FTSE Eurofirst 300 is advancing 1.4 per cent
In the US the S&P 500 and Dow Jones closed 0.2 and 0.3 per cent lower yesterday - but they are more than making up those gains since re-opening this afternoon, up 0.4 and 0.3 per cent
Overnight the Shanghai Composite added 1.6 per cent and the Japanese Topix 0.4 per cent. In hong Kogn the Hang Seng is set to close 0.6 per cent higher
Oil was still falling this morning and remains below $50, with Brent crude having recovered only slightly through the day to $49.54 a barrel
Gold is consolidating a little after another decet advance yesterday as safe haven demand surged. The spot price is down 0.2 per cent to $1,282 an ounce

European markets are following a mostly negative Asian session with a sizeable drop on Tuesday morning, adding to losses made during a sharp fall on Monday
The FTSE 100 is down 0.6 per cent and is closing in on the 6,000 threshold at 6,011. Miners, house builders and financials are among broad-based fallers as economic concerns take centre stage
Anglo American is leading the fallers with a slide of 2.2 per cent, while Barclays, which has been cited by analysts as the most exposed UK bank to the effects of a Brexit, is down 1.6 per cent
In wider Europe the German Dax, French Cac 40 and FTSE Eurofirst 300 are all down 0.8 per cent
Brexit concern is one of the main reasons for the declines around the world, as the Leave camp has seemingly moved into a solid lead in the polls
Economists generally agree that a Brexit will be negative for UK growth and will have ripple effects across Europe and the global economy
Oil prices are also heading south again, which is seen as negative for demand and is hitting resources stocks
A US central bank meeting that is expected to show accommodative monetary policy is being outweighed by fears that this is being prompted by weaker economic fundamentals
In Asia overnight the Japanese Topix fell one per cent and the Hong Kong Hang Seng dropped 0.5 per cent
Yesterday on Wall Street the S&P 500 and Dow Jones both also ended markedly lower, declining 0.8 and 0.7 per cent
Gold continues to hold at recent relative highs, with the spot price down only slightly at $1,277 an ounce

A stocks retreat that began on Wednesday on the continent and yesterday in the UK is continuing on Friday, as fears over Brexit, weak data in Japan and falling oil all hit sentiment
In the UK the FTSE 100 is down sharply by 1.8 per cent, putting it in the red for the week on 6,117, with financial stocks leading the downward move.
Prudential is down 3.9 per cent, Standard Life and Legal and General by 3.6 per cent, and Barclays by 3.4 per cent
In Germany the Dax is down 2.4 per cent, while the French Cac 40 is down around 2.2 per cent. The wider FTSE Eurofirst 300 is down 2.3 per cent
In general a more risk-off mood has taken hold following recent advances, not least because the EU referendum polls have tightened
Goldman Sachs warned yesterday that a vote to leave the EU latest this month could "raise the possibility of a major risk-off cycle in global financial markets" that would "overwhelm" any central bank action taken immediately prior to the poll
As a result it expects Japan's central bank to avoid further stimulus, hoped for by many traders, at its meeting next week
Japan was also affected by data showing a fall in producer prices of more than four per cent in May, meaning it has been mired in deflation for 14 straight months
The Nikkei fell 0.4 per cent. Elsewhere in Asia the Hong Kong Hang Seng returned from its holiday with a 1.1 per cent decline, while the Shanghai Composite lost 0.3 per cent
On Wall Street yesterday the S&P 500 fell, but a late recovery meant it remained within one per cent of its all-time record having shed just 0.2 per cent
It is falling faster this afternoon, however, shedding around 0.9 per cent. The Dow Jones is down by a little more than 0.5 per cent
Oil is driving some of the sentiment, sliding further from its eight-month high of $53 on Wednesday night to a little more than $51 a barrel as traders bet a supply overhang remains entrenched
Gold is continuing to benefit from a renewed rush to safety and has risen to a new three-week high, at $1,276 an ounce

It was another poor start to trading on Thursday morning, as European markets dip back from recent highs after a weak and limited session in Asia overnight
Japan's Nikkei fell one per cent after an industrial orders metric showed a surprisingly strong dip and the yen rose, hurting the bourse's exports
Trading was thinned by holidays in China, Hong Kong and Taiwan
The fall, which has been maintained through some peaks and troughs as the day has gone on, comes in spite of the US moving higher again yesterday, with the S&P 500 adding 0.3 per cent to edge closer to its record high of last May
Wall Street has dipped on re-opening this afternoon, with the S&P 500 shedding an early 0.4 per cent. The dow Jones is down by the same margin
Brent crude oil is still high but falling back from an eight-month high above $53 a barrel - and investors are generally taking profits after a sustained recent advance
The FTSE 100 is also falling despite a surprise rise in UK industrial output, up 2.3 per cent in April and at the fastest rate in four years
The UK benchmark is down 1.1 per cent to 6,234. Miners are leading the fallers, with Antofagasta down more than seven per cent
In wider Europe the German Dax is down 1.3 per cent and the French Cac 40 is down 0.9 per cent. The FTSE Eurofirst 300 is also down 0.9 per cent
Gold hit a three-week high of $1,266 an ounce overnight, and after a slight dip has returned to that threshold this afternoon

European markets started out lower on Wednesday morning, even despite a strong close on Wall Street
The S&P 500 ended up 0.1 per cent to 2,113 at the end of Tuesday trading in New York, an 11-month high and within one per cent of the all-time high set in May last year
But weak Chinese data showing a deeper fall in exports than had been expected is hitting sentiment. Fears of a 'hard landing for the world's second-largest economy are a key driver of global trading trends
Bourses recovered some ground through the day before a later afternoon wobble - and the FTSE 100 continues to eke out a small rise of 0.2 per cent to 6,229
On the positive side of the equation, global oil prices have moved above $52 a barrel in what is seen as an indicator of rising demand
Investors could also simply be booking some profits after three sessions of gains and with bourses at high levels
Sainsbury's is doing well after reporting a shallower than expected sales fall in the last quarter, up 2.6 per cent
This is also helping Tesco, which is also benefitting from reports that it is ditching more non-core assets like loss-making Giraffe. It is up two per cent
In wider Europe, the German Dax and the French Cac 40 are down 0.7 per cent. The wider FTSE Eurofirst 300 is 0.6 per cent lower
In the US, markets are off to another strong start on Wednesday afternoon. The S&P has so far added another 0.2 per cent to 2,116
In China the exports data pulled the Shanghai Composite 0.3 per cent lower. The Hong Kong Hang Seng fell by a similar margin, but in Japan the Nikkei added 0.9 per cent after a slip in the yen
Gold is doing well as expectations of a rate rise in the US fade. The spot price is up 1.3 per cent to $1,261 an ounce

Tuesday saw another positive start to trading in Europe, following up on a decent advance yesterday and a move towards an all-time high on Wall Street overnight
Investor enthusiam in the UK waned through the day, but a buying spree in late trading is reasserting gains that should now hold to the close. In wider Europe the upward move is more pronounced
Central bank policy is again in focus, after Janet Yellen gave a speech that was seen as confirming a June rise is now off the table
Helpfully, though, she also sounded positive on over economic prospects and a slow return to normal borrowing costs - and she pointed to generally strong economic data of late
Oil is also supporting resources stocks, as Brent crude holds solidly above the $50 level and actually tips $51
In the UK, Shell is leading the market with a rise of three per cent. This also follows a trading update in which the firm confirmed more cost cuts that will protect its investor dividend
Mining stocks are also doing well. Retailers Next and Burberry, whose chief executive took a big pay cut last year after profits fell, are also doing well with gains of 2.6 and 1.9 per cent
Overall the FTSE 100 is up 0.3 per cent to 6,292
Elsewhere in Europe the German Dax is up 1.7 per cent, while the French Cac 40 is up 1.3 per cent. The wider FTSE Eurofirst 300 is up 1.2 per cent
Overnight on Wall Street the Dow Jones added 0.6 per cent and the S&P 500 added 0.5 per cent
The S&P has added seven points since re-opening this afternoon, leaving it less than one per cent shy of May 2015's all-time high
In Asia the Shanghai Composite was mostly flat, but the Hong Kong Hang Seng leapt 1.4 per cent and in Japan the Topix jumped 0.6 per cent
The gold price remains near its higher level after Friday's advance, but is not making any new ground. It's marginally down today at $1,241 an ounce

Markets are in relatively bullish mood on Monday, despite a number of ostensibly negative indicators
US jobs data was very disappointing on Friday - with just 38,000 new roles added in May, the fewest for five-and-a-half years
In the UK, there have been more polls putting the Brexit camp ahead in the EU referendum vote
Elsewhere Germany has been hit by weak export demand, with industrial orders falling by two per cent compared to analyst expectations of 0.5 per cent
Despite all of this the FTSE 100 is up 1.4 per cent to 6,294. It's being led by miners, with Anglo American up an astonishing 12.4 per cent
Bourse across Europe are doing well, albeit rises are more modest. The German Dax is up 0.3 per cent, the French Cac 40 by 0.2 per cent and the wider Eurofirst 300 by 0.5 per cent
US markets fell modestly on Friday, with the S&P 500 down 0.3 per cent. It has bounced back in early Monday trading in New York this afternoon, adding 0.4 per cent to sit just 26 points below its record close of 2,134
Traders might be shrugging off the weak data points because of the suggestion that a US rates rise is now not likely in the short term
As the US economy has generally been performing well and unemployment remains below five per cent, this reinforces the 'Goldilocks' scenario of decent growth but cheap money
Oil is also helping and is boosting those resources stocks as it has nudged back above $50 a barrel - Brent is pushing on two per cent towards $51 today
In Asia overnight, the Hong Kong Hang Seng added 0.4 per cent. Japanese markets were lower, with the Nikkei losing 0.4 per cent, after the yen rose and put pressure on export-sensitive stocks
Gold roared back to form on Friday after the weak jobs data, but the suggestion by some that the report is an outlier and that a hike could still come this summer has tempered the rally. The spot price is currently $1,248 an ounce

That the international oil price had closed above $50 for the first time in seven months was boosting resources stocks and sending markets higher on Friday morning
Oil was higher despite the latest Opec meeting ending without a supply deal - but there was a more "conciliatory tone", notes the Financial Times, and US oil reserves also fell again last week
Traders were also waiting for economic data in the US that, if strong, could have furthered the case for a rates rise in either June or July. Markets reckon there is a majority chance of a second hike since the financial crisis at next month's meeting
The S&P 500 closed up 0.3 per cent yesterday at 2,105, near a seven-month high. The Dow Jones also gained 0.3 per cent
In Asia overnight there was also positivity, driven by a rise back into expansion territory for Japan's dominant services sector. The Topix gained 0.4 per cent, while the Chinese Shanghai Composite and Hong Kong Hang Seng both added 0.4 per cent
But in the event the jobs data massively disappointed, with new role creation almost grinding to a halt with just 38,000 added last month. To boot, oil has lost ground again, dropping 0.8 per cent to back below $50
In the UK, after two days of losses in the wake of Brexit warnings there was a strong advance in early trading today - but it has fallen back to close to parity. It's up just 0.2 per cent, led by resources and mining stocks
The German Dax and French Cac 40 are down 1.3 per cent. The wider FTSE Eurofirst 300 is down 1.2 per cent
Despite the jobs data decreasing the odds of a near-term rates rise, which will please some traders, the hit to the economy is more in focus and in the US the S&P 500 and Dow Jones are down 0.8 and 0.5 lower in early Friday trading in New York
Gold has roared back into form in the wake of the jobs data and diminished rates hopes. The spot price is marginally up 2.5 per cent at $1,240 an ounce

Markets in Europe are mixed on Thursday, as traders digest the latest European Central Bank comments on the eurozone economy and falling oil acts as a drag
Oil cartel Opec's summit in Vienna ended with no deal to cap production - but commentary from Saudi Arabia was more supportive of controls in the future
Having been back above $50 Brent crude is retreating and is below $49 a barrel in London
Elsewhere the European Central Bank took no action either in terms of cutting rates or buying more bonds, but president Mario Draghi sounded a downbeat tone that that could hint at more stimulus in the near future
There is a general sense of a holding pattern ahead of a critical jobs report in the US tomorrow, which could firm up the case for a rates rise as soon as June or July
Markets had been hit on Wednesday by a negative report from the OECD, which warned of global spillover from a vote for Brexit
The FTSE 100 is up 0.1 per cent to 6,199
The UK benchmark is being led higher by engineering firms, with Johnson Matthey up 5.3 per cent after a strong earnings report. Aerospace firm GKN is advancing 2.4 per cent
Elsewhere in Europe the German Dax is also up 0.1 per cent, the French Cac 40 is down by the same margin, and the wider FTSE Eurofirst 300 is up 0.2 per cent
US markets were essentially flat overnight - and they're heading modestly lower in early trading after re-opening this afternoon, with the S&P 500 and Dow Jones down 0.3 and 0.2 per cent respectively
Japan's markets slumped overnight after the country's currency made strong gains, with the Topix down a massive 2.2 per cent. In China and Hong Kong the Shanghai Composite and the Hang Seng rose 0.4 and 0.5 per cent
Gold is still struggling for traction, sitting 0.1 per cent lower at $1,210 an ounce

European markets are continuing where they left off after a sharp fall into the close on Tuesday afternoon
Yesterday's trend was influenced by data showing continued eurozone deflation, which was a mixed indicator in that it was improved from April but still hugely underwhelming
This gave way overnight to what the FT describes as a "deluge" of similarly mixed data
On one hand there were reports showing weak Japanese capital spending and disappointing activity in Chinese manufacturing and services, but elsewhere Australian growth outperformed
All in all there was little in the flood of figures to give central banks reason to undertake more monetary stimulus
And this comes at a time when US borrowing costs could be tightened again shortly, with a labour market report on Friday now being seen as a crucial bellwether
Adding to a generally negative mood this morning is a retreat for oil prices, which are down around one per cent ahead of an Opec meeting that looks unlikely to yield an agreement on supply
And finally back at home there was a downgrading of UK growth forecasts by the OECD, which has flagged specific concerns about Brexit at a time when EU referendum polls are tightening
The FTSE 100 is down down 0.8 per cent to 6,183. Plumbing supplies firm Wolseley is leading the fallers with a decline of 5.8 per cent after a disappointing trading update
The German Dax and French Cac 40 are down 0.6 and 0.7 per cent, while the wider FTSE Eurofirst 300 is down one per cent
On Wall Street early gains on tuesday turned into modest losses, with the S&P 500 and Dow Jones losing 0.1 and 0.5 per cent
And stocks on the other side of the Atlantic are soft again on Wednesday morning in New York. The S&P and Dow are down 0.3 and 0.5 per cent respectively
In Asia the Japanese Nikkei fell 1.6 per cent, while in China the Shanghai Composite fell just 0.1 per cent and the Hong Kong Hang Seng shed 0.3 per cent
The gold price remains low compared to its recent history amid the rates talk, at $1,210 an ounce

Market sentiment is being supported by higher oil prices, which are back close to $50 a barrel, and a more "sanguine" attitude to a US rates hike, says the Financial Times
Federal Reserve chair Janet Yellen echoed recent comments from colleagues on Friday by hinting that a second hike since the financial crisis could be on the cards this summer
At one time this would have been seen as a potential upset to the economic apple cart, but reams of strong data of late have convinced traders that as long as rate rises go slow the broader positives are a buy signal
On Wall Street the S&P 500 closed yesterday 0.4 per cent higher to 2,099
It up 0.2 per cent in early trading after re-opening this afternoon, after strong consumer spending data. If this holds it will end May with an overall gain of 1.8 per cent and just 1.5 per cent shy of its all-time high
In the UK the FTSE 100 is down marginally by 0.2 per cent up at 6,256, as traders take profits from the recent rally
Some financial stocks are on the charge, with RSA Insurance leading the risers with a gain of 1.8 per cent, but going the other way Satellite firm Inmarsat is continuing a losing streak, down by 3.2 per cent
Elsewhere in Europe there are losses, reflecting profit-taking after a positive session on Monday driven by strong data on the French and German economies for the first quarter
The German Dax and French Cac 40 are down 0.6 per cent, while the wider FTSE Eurofirst 300 is down 0.8 per cent
Asian markets had closed higher overnight, with decent data reiterating Japan's economic recovery prompting a one per cent bounce on its benchmark Nikkei
In China the Shanghai Composite added 3.3 per cent, while the Hong Kong Hang Seng added 1.2 per cent
Gold has been under pressure amid the rates hype and had dropped to a three-and-a-half-month low of below $1,200. It has recovered a bit and is currently at $1,212 an ounce in London trading

Markets in Europe are mildly higher but mostly flat on Friday, in cautious and thin trading ahead of a key speech by Federal Reserve chair Janet Yellen after the close this afternoon
Analysts have been speculating that the Fed will increase rates again soon and perhaps as soon as June, after a spate of positive economic data and hawkish comments by rate setters
Some traders fear a further tightening of monetary policy, but after some choppy trading earlier this week the mood seemed to settle
This reflects both a more sanguine attitude to a second hike in six months amid the robust recovery in the US - but also the view of many that the rise will not happen after all due to global growth concerns
In this context, the speech by Yellen later will be keenly watched for signs that she is preparing the markets for a rates move
Sentiment today is also being affected by a retreat by the oil price from its post-$50 2016 high yesterday. At $49 a barrel Brent crude remains in its recent steady range, however
In the UK the FTSE 100 is following a tentative and essentiually flat Thursday with another largely sideways trend. It's essentially unchanged at 6,266
Property developer Berkeley Group is leading fallers with a 2.3 per cent decline, while on the other hand miners are continuing a decent recent run and Rio Tinto is leading the way with a 12.2 per cent advance
Elsewhere the Europe the German Dax is up 0.1 per cent and the French Cac 40 is flat. The FTSE Eurofirst 300 is up 0.1 per cent
Wall Street ended mostly flat yesterday and its trend will likely remain so until the speech by Yellen later
In Asia, Japanese markets jumped after a fall in its inflation index revived speculation that further stimulus and perhaps even a delay in a new controversial sales tax could be announced soon. The Nikkei ended up 0.4 per cent
The Hong Kong Hang Seng leapt byt around 0.9 per cent, while on the Chinese mainland the Shanghai Composite was marginally down
Gold is recovery a bit from another decline yesterday, with the spot price down 0.1 per cent to $1,219 an ounce. It could rise or fall substantially later depending on what Yellen has to say

Markets were mixed and mostly mildly lower at the open on Thursday, but traders said this was little more than some "top of the range" profit-taking after a strong advance over the past two sessions
In fact, spurred on by a renewed surge in oil to a new 2016 high - Brent crude was just above the important $50 threshold for most of today - most European bourses have swung back into the black
Oil's gains have been driven by a big stockpile draw in the US last week, as global production outages hit imports
In the UK the FTSE 100 is still marginally down, though, by 0.1 per cent to 6,254
Sentiment at home has been affected in part by the second estimate of first quarter growth this morning, which confirmed the intial 0.4 per cent growth estimate
However, the Office for National Statistics also revealed business investment fell for the first time in three years
Banking stocks are pulling back after their Wednesday surge, with Lloyds dipping two per cent and back below the 73.6p bailout break-even price they breached for the first time this year yesterday
Elsewhere in Europe the German Dax and French Cac 40 are up 0.7 and 0.6 per cent. The wider FTSE Eurofirst 300 is up 0.1 per cent
This came on the back of another decent advance on Wall Street last night, with the S&P 500 and Dow Jones rising 0.7 and 0.8 per cent. Markets in the Us are virtually flat after re-opening this afternoon, however
Asian indices were also generally up, with Japan's Nikkei gaining 0.1 per cent and the Shanghai Composite in China adding 0.3 per cent
Gold recovered a little overnight but is largely unchanged today. It is currently 0.1 per cent down at $1,223 an ounce

European bourses are tracking Wall Street and rallying steadily on Wednesday
The S&P 500 actually leapt 1.4 per cent yesterday for its best single-day gain since early March. The Dow Jones was also up strongly, by 1.2 per cent
The two US benchmarks are up again by 0.8 and 0.9 per cent respectively in early trading after re-opening this afternoon
In Europe the FTSE 100 is up 0.6 per cent to 6,259. In Germany the Dax is up 1.6 per cent, while the French Cac 40 is up 1.2 per cent and the wider FTSE Eurofirst 300 is up 1.4 per cent
One reason for the rises is that traders are "coming to terms with the prospect of a summer rate hike in the US", says the FT
After more positive economic data in the form of a "sturdy housing market report", the paper says a prevailing view is that markets "can absorb such a trend providing the monetary tightening is slow and reflects an improving economy"
Also helping sentiment is a "breakthrough debt deal" for Greece and a rebound in the oil price back towards a seven-month high of close to $50 a barrel
Banking groups are doing particularly well, with Royal Bank of Scotland and Standard Chartered up 4.5 and 3.9 per cent
Going the other way is M&S, which posted increased profits but reported another "unsatisfactory" performance in its bellwether clothing division. It is down more than nine per cent after the first hour
Asian markets were mostly highe overnightr, with the Japanese Nikkei and Hong Kong Hang Seng up 1.6 and a massive 2.6 per cent respectively. The Shanghai Composite bucked the trend, losing 0.2 per cent
Gold continues to slide amid the hardening rates picture. The spot price is down 0.7 per cent to $1,221 an ounce

European markets are following up a modestly negative session yesterday with a much more positive Tuesday, turning early losses into sizeable gains throughout the afternoon
Sentiment is still being largely driven by the likelihood of a US rates hike next month, but as the mood settles somewhat bourses are falling into something of a holding pattern ahead of a key speech by Fed chair Janet Yellen on Friday
The FT says until then, we could see contiuned "tedium with occasional bouts of violence"
But as today wore on the positive economic assumptions underlying the rates rumours, coupled with rebounding oil prices, sents shares rallying
European traders are also being boosted by yet more good news in Germany, which has followed up its recent GDP surge by reporting a huge expansion in business investment
There is also optimism that a meeting of single currency finance ministers today will finally lead to some form of debt relief for Greece, which will finally put the country on a more sustainable footing and remove the lingering spectre of 'Grexit' from the euro
The FTSE 100 is up 1.4 per cent to 6,160. Leading it higher is Tesco, which has risen 7.1 per cent
The German Dax is up 2.1 per cent, while the French Cac 40 is up 2.4 per cent higher. The wider FTSE Eurofirst 300 is up 2.2 per cent
Wall Street's benchmarks had finished virtually flat overnight, with the S&P 500 and Dow Jones losing a marginal 0.1 and 0.2 per cent. They're up solidly by around 1.2 per cent in early trading this afternoon
Asian markets had been jittery overnight, with the Shanghai Composite losing 0.8 per cent and the Japanese Nikkei losing 0.9 per cent, but a later close for the Hong Kong Hang Seng meant it tracked Europe's rebound and closed up 0.2 per cent
Gold is still drifting against the backdrop of renewed rates speculation, with the spot price shedding 1.4 per cent to $1,234 an ounce

Rates talk is dominating the commentary again on Monday morning, as traders weigh up the likelihood of the US tightening borrowing costs for the second time in six months in June
Hawkish minutes from the April meeting, published last week, shocked markets - and since then there has been a queue of policymakers lining up to suggest the economy could take another rise
Some are sanguine about such a move, but more remain of the view that the economy is too fragile
Also hurting confidence is another slight drop back in the oil price to around $48 a barrel on continuing oversupply concerns
As well, weak Japanese export data for last month that were the lowest for more than three years have renewed worries over global demand
Of course the positive rates view only comes about from a positive view on the important US economy, so that is offsetting some of the negativity
There has also been progress on Greece debt talks, with a deal likely tomorrow after more austerity measures were passed at the weekend. This is calming fears in the eurozone and helping European markets to par losses
In the UK, the FTSE 100 is down 0.1 per cent to 6,151
The home benchmark could also be affected by latest predictions of a recession in the event of a Brexit, which will prompt investor nerves all the while polls show the EU referendum is on a knife edge
Miners are among the fastest fallers but sattelite firm Inmarsat is leading the way with a 4.4 per cent decline after it issued a profit warning
Wider European indices are also lower, with the French Cac 40 and German Dax down 0.4 per cent, and the wider FTSE Eurofirst 300 down 0.2 per cent
On Wall Street a calmer mood has seen markets open marginally up but relatively unchanged. The S&P 500 is essentially flat, but the Dow has gained 0.2 per cent
Asian stocks were mostly lower, with the exports hit causing the Japanese Topix to shed 0.4 per cent. The Hong Kong Hang Seng is heading for a similar decline - but the Shanghai Composite bucked the trend to rise 0.7 per cent
Gold remains relatively subdued amid all the rates speculation, with the spot price down marginally at $1,248 an ounce

Stocks have "regained their poise" on Friday, says the Financial Times
In fact, the trend set in during afternoon trading last night in New York, where an initial loss of close to one per cent on the S&P 500 was pared to a more modest decline of 0.4 per cenrt
This was still enough to put the Wall Street benchmark in negative territory for the year, however it has continued to rebound after re-opening this afternoon, rising by 0.8 per cent
Sentiment improved as a result of traders reassessing their pessimism over a US rates hike and a rebound in the oil price towards $50 a barrel, as deepening disruption in Nigeria threatened a further hit to supply
Oil has softened this afternoon, however, with Brent back around at around $48 a barrel
On rates, Julian Jessop at Capital Economics said that a now-in-the-frame June hike was what had been expected in March and that he is "fairly relaxed" about the potential impact
Others are more calm as they reassert the chances of a rise remain low due to global uncertainty that could stay the Fed's hand. Fund futures put the chances of a June rise at less than 30 per cent
In the UK the FTSE 100 is following up a 1.8 per cent fall yesterday with a 1.4 per cent rise to 6,139
Among the usual mix of growth sensitive financial and resource stocks, Coca Cola is actually leading the way with a rise of seven per cent after benefitting from an upbeat analyst report and positive earnings from rival Britvic
The German Dax is up one per cent, while the French Cac 40 is up 1.4 per cent. The wider FTSE Eurofirst 300 is up 1.1 per cent
Asian bourses were mostly up overnight, with the Shanghai Composite adding 0.7 per cent, the Hong Kong Hang Seng 0.9 per cent and the Japanese Topix 0.5 per cent
The gold price remains subdued in the wake of the renewed rates rise expectations, with the spot price relatively unmoved at $1,252 an ounce

It has been selling session on Thursday, again prompted by fears of a US rates rise
Minutes from the last Federal Reserve meeting in April found that "most" rate-setters could back a rise as soon as June if economic data hold up
Taking into account recent positive figures on inflation, industrial production, construction, consumer spending and broader US growth, another hike next month that had be seen as extremely unlikely is now in the frame
This is seen as negative because many believe the global economy is too fragile for tighter borrowing costs - and more to the point markets had been enjoying the 'Goldilocks' scenario of decent growth and cheap money
Before the minutes were published last night Wall Street had been rebounding from its sizeable drop the day before in New York. After they came out, a 0.6 per cent gain on the S&P was reversed and the index closed flat
The S&P is down 0.9 per cent in early trading on Thursday afternoon, while the Dow Jones is down 0.8 per cent
In Europe the effect if anything is more pronounced, not helped by a hit to resource stocks as an inevitably stronger dollar prompts an oil price reversal
The FTSE 100 is down 1.6 per cent to 6,068. Miners are leading the downward charge, with Fresnillo and Anglo American 7.5 and 6.3 per cent lower
Travel stocks are also suffering after a negative report from Thomas Cook and the latest plane disappearance, of EgyptAir flight MS804. TUI, owner of rival Thomson, is down 2.7 per cent
The German Dax is down 1.3 per cent, while the French Cac 40 is down 0.7 per cent. The wider FTSE Eurofirst 300 is down one per cent
Asian shares took a lead from the Wall Street turnaround overnight, with the Shanghai Composite ending flat and the Hong Kong Hang Seng shedding 0.7 per cent. In Japan the Topix was down 0.1 per cent
Gold is diving on the rates speculation and stronger dollar, wiping out the gains for the last month. The spot price is down two per cent $1,247

Markets were heading south in Europe on Wednesday morning, tracking a negative turn on Wall Street
In a twist that is typical of the current market sentiment, a 0.9 per cent slide on the S&P 500 and one per cent for the Dow Jones followed positive data on the US economy
The latest upbeat report was on inflation, which came in higher than expected for April and pointed to improving demand
This follows a report last week showing a bigger-than-expected boost to consumer spending and the recent estimate showing overall US economic expansion picked up pace in the first quarter
Traders don't like such positivity as it poses a threat to the 'Goldilocks' status quo, whereby growth is strong enough to encourage risk investing but too weak for interest rates to be hiked
Falls came in spite of oil holding at around seven-month highs in the wake of supply disruption that could swing the market back into balance
But the steady oil price has given markets succour and there has been a recovery as the day has gone on, with much of Europe back in the black late on
The FTSE 100 is still down 0.2 per cent to 6,154. This comes on the back of data on UK inflation yesterday that showed prices rises slipped back again in April
Alongside the miners that you'd expect to be leading the fallers, Burberry is struggling after reporting that its profits will come in at the lower end of guidance. The stock is down 2.3 per cent
On the up side, Lloyds is benfitting from comments that the government's share sale is back in the frame for this year, adding 3.3 per cent
Elsewhere in Europe the Germa Dax and French Cac 40 are up 0.2 and 0.3 per cent. The wider FTSE Eurofirst 200 is up 0.5 per cent
Wall Street is firmer this afternoon early after re-opening, with the S&P 500 up 0.1 per cent and the Dow Jones adding 0.4 per cent
Asian bourses were mostly lower overnight, although in Japan there was also some positivity to offset the gloom as the country avoided recession with an ahead-of-expectations 0.4 per cent GDP spurt in the first quarter
The Nikkei fell jus 0.1 per cent and the Topix eked out a modest 0.2 per cent gain
Gold is slipping back slightly on the rates expectations, dropping 0.4 per cent to $1,271 an ounce

An ongoing rally in the oil price was driving continued risk appetite and solid gains for equities this morning
Brent crude at one point came around 50 cents short of the $50 barrier that has not been breached since November
The commodity is rising because of a hit to supply lines that could help to rebalance the market - and it is being supported by a weak dollar after some poor manufacturing data in New York
But some of these gains have been pared today and this has led to equities dipping as the session has worn on
The FTSE 100 is up 0.2 per cent to 6,165, although this is well down from an earlier rise of more than 0.9 per cent
Inflation data earlier showed a surprise decline in price rises to 0.3 per cent, from 0.5 per cent in March. This is being taken as a sign of slowing demand in the economy and so is acting as a drag on sentiment
Miner Anglo American is up 5.6 per cent, while housebuilders Ashtead and Taylor Wimpey are up 5.3 and 4.7 per cent
Elsewhere in Europe the German Dax and French Cac 40 have swung into the red, by 0.8 and 0.6 per cent. The wider FTSE Eurofirst 300 is down 0.3 per cent
On Wall Street a one per cent gain on the S&P 500 on Monday was caused by a big rise in tech stocks, catalysed by a $1bn investment on the part of Warren Buffett into Apple
Despite some strong US economic data, showing increasing inflationa and a rebound in industrials activity, the S&P has tracked the wider waning and given up 0.4 per cent in early trading
In Asia overnight there were strong gains in Japan, the Topix was up 1.1 per cent, and in Hong Kong, where the Hang Seng rose 1.2 per cent. The Shanghai Composite shed 0.3 per cent
The gold price is moving higher as risk appetite wanes, up 0.6 per cent at $1,280 an ounce

Europe was broadly lower at the start of a new week, but positivity around a couple of key bellwether indicators and especially the oil price has turned the FTSE back into the black this afternoon
Oil is markedly higher - Brent crude is up 2.4 per cent to almost $49 a barrel - after hitherto bearish Goldman Sachs analysts said the market was currently in a supply deficit after an 18-month glut
This is boosting sentiment on global demand and thus potential economic growth and is spurring a positive move in Europe into the close and on Wall Street in early trading
Chinese economic data also came in better than some may have feared overnight, supporting the thesis that the economy is heading for a soft, rather than hard, landing
Asian shares were generally up as a result, with the Shanghai Composite adding 0.8 per cent and the Hong Kong Hag Seng up 0.7 per cent. The Japanese Nikkei added 0.3 per cent after the latest dip in the yen
The FTSE 100 is up 0.1 per cent to 6,141, mirroring its trend on Friday of reversing an early sharp loss into a modest gain
Miners that are sensitive to global trends are leading the way, with Anglo American out in front with an advance of 5.6 per cent. Tesco is also doing well on the back of its recent final results, adding 3.1 per cent
The French Cac 40 and wider FTSE Eurofirst 300 are still down 0.3 per cent and 0.1 per cent respectively, although this is much improved on earlier sharp declines
Gold had been doing well amid a fall in equities and the dollar in the US, but it has lost ground this afternoon and was last up just 0.2 per cent to $1,273 an ounce

Markets have been struggling for momentum on Friday and the FTSE 100 earlier dropped below the 6,100 barrier for the first time in around a month
The BBC says it is "hard to see why" there was downward pressure - but it has pointed the finger at bearish comments from the Bank of England governor Mark Carney on the risk of a recession in the event of a Brexit
More widely, the Financial Times is citing a general risk-off appetite that has gathered momentum through the week and that is also characterised by a rush to safe havens like the Japanese yen and government bonds
This in turn has been prompted by growth worries in the US economy, where the rate of new employment has dipped back from highs of last year and consumer spending is waning
The FTSE was following up a near one per cent decline on Thursday with an early 0.6 per cent slide to 6,068
But as the day has gone on it has recovered. By 4pm, just half an hour before the close, it was virtually flat for the day at 6,106
Elsewhere the German Dax is up 0.5 per cent, after surprisingly good data on the German economy this morning that showed expansion doubled to 0.7 per cent in the first quarter
The French Cac 40 and wider FTSE Eurofirst 300 are also both up, by 0.3 and 0.2 per cent
Also contributing to the negative sentiment that set in on Thursday afternoon is the latest fall back in the oil price after a recent rally. Brent crude is down around 1.3 per cent to $47.50 a barrel
On Wall Street yesterday the Dow Jones and S&P 500 both ended essentially unchanged on Thursday - and despite figures showing a rise in retail sales they are down 0.4 and 0.3 per cent early on Friday
In Asia overnight, the Japanese Topix slumped back 1.3 per cent after several sessions of gains while the Hong Kong Hang Seng dropped 1.2 per cent
Gold has been relatively stuck between competing trends this week and is relatively unmoved at $1,270 an ounce

Markets in Europe are taking a downward turn on Thursday, following a substantial reversal on Wall Street on Wednesday in the wake of concerns over consumer spending
Today has actually been extremely volatile, with initial one per cent losses on the FTSE 100 being turned into a gain of around 0.5 per cent by lunchtime, before markets turned negative again
This final move reflects a retreat from earlier highs for the oil price, which has benefitted in recent days from a hit to global supplies, and a fall in Apple shares that have hit the technology sector
In the UK the FTSE 100 is down 0.6 per cent to 6,126. Top fallers are demand-sensitive miners, with Anglo American shedding in excess of six per cent
The Financial Times says Wednesday's fall on Wall Street was caused by "grim" reports from Macy's and Gap, which triggered a wider retail slide on concerns that US consumers are becoming more cautious and that this could undermine a demand-driven recovery
Having recorded the strongest rise for two months on Tuesday, the S&P 500 fell one per cent yesterday in the biggest decline since the first week of April
It's broadly flat on Wednesday and struggling for momentum, while the Dow Jones is down 0.2 per cent after an hour and a half of trading
Elsewhere the German Dax is down one per cent, while the French Cac 40 and the wider FTSE Eurofirst 300 are both down 0.4 per cent
Asian shares were mostly lower overnight, with the Hong Kong Hang Seng shedding 0.7 per cent. Japan bucked the trend after a further softening of the yen, with the Nikkei adding 0.4 per cent
Gold is softening slightly, losing 0.1 per cent o £1,273 an ounce

Risk appetite was lower in Europe on Wednesday morning as markets gave back some of the previous session's gains
This follows a mixed performance in Asia overnight, where Japanese bourses were mostly flat following a firming of the yen and Chinese indices diverged
In Tokyo the Nikkei gave up early gains of 1.5 per cent to finish up just 0.1 per cent, while the Topix fell by the same modest margin
In Hong Kong the Hang Seng is set to fall 0.8 per cent, while on the mainland the Shanghai Composite gained 0.4 per cent after a spate of recent losses
Also hitting sentiment this morning is a fall in the oil price. Brent crude was down 1.3 per cent to below $45 a barrel, after a strong advance on Tuesday driven by supply concerns in Canada
But oil has turned around dramatically this afternoon after a US report unexpectedly revealed a drop in US inventories last week. Brent is currently up 2.3 per cent to above $46.50
Back home the FTSE has swung positive and is up 0.2 per cent to 6,166. Miners and resources stocks are leading the way, with Anglo American up 5.7 per cent
Elsewhere in Europe markets remain in the red. The German Dax is down 0.5 per cent, while the French Cac 40 and wider FTSe Eurofirst 300 are both down 0.4 per cent
On Wall Street there was a strong advance on Tuesday of around 1.3 per cent for both the Dow Jones and S&P 500
The two benchmarks are losing a little ground on Wednesday morning in New York, however, trading 0.5 and 0.3 per cent lower respectively
The risk-off move and a fall in the dollar are combing to help gold, which is up 1.2 per cent at $1,279 an ounce

The FTSE 100 is having a more sustained attempt at rallying on Tuesday, after an initial advance at the beginning of the week gave way to an afternoon slump and an eventual modest 0.2 per cent decline
With a little over half an hour to go to the close, the UK's benchmark is up 0.6 per cent to 6,151. This is down from an earlier high of around one per cent, but up from a midday trough closer to parity in the wake of weak trade data
One of the factors that caused Monday's turnaround was a reversal in the oil price, which started up but later nosedived four per cent amid optimism on the effect of wildfires in Canada on supply
Markets are being buoyed today by a bounce back in this key demand-sensitive commodity, with Brent crude up 2.5 per cent at close to $45
Traders are also taking comfort from inflation figures coming out of China, which met analyst expectations at 2.3 per cent for retail prices and beat forecasts on the wholesale side with a moderated 3.4 per cent decline
The Shanghai Composite was marginally up overnight and the Hong Kong Hang Seng advanced 0.5 per cent. In Japan another fall in the yen prompted a sizeable 2.2 per cent gain on the Nikkei
Back in the UK the upward move is being led by Capita, which has reassured investors on its profit targets in results this morning. It's up 5.5 per cent
Easyjet is also on the up again even after it reported a £24m loss. It has said passenger numbers held up and, despite a 0.6 per cent fall on the open, it is now surging 2.7 per cent after upping its dividend
Elsewhere in Europe the German Dax and French Cac 40 are up 0.5 and 0.2 per cent respectively. The wider FTSE Eurofirst 300 is gaining 0.7 per cent
Both of the two key US benchmarks followed the European lead and opened up but lost momentum on Monday. The Dow eventually finished down 0.2 per cent, while the S&P 500 gained 0.1 per cent
They're again tracking Europe and rising at the start of Tuesday trading, however, advancing by one and 0.7 per cent

European markets are up in early trading, as demand-sensitive oil prices rise again
The FTSE 100 is 0.3 per cent up after an hour of trading to 6,144. There are some broad-based rises, with telecomms business and air carrier Easyjet leading the way after 2.7 and 2.5 per cent advances
Elsewhere in Europe the German Dax is up 0.5 per cent and French Cac-40 up 0.3 per cent. The wider FTSE Eurofirst 300 is up 0.4 per cent
This is mainly because of some weak data in China, where exports were reported to have fallen 1.8 per cent over the past year
There are, though, some declines in typically bellwether resources stocks, which could spell a negative turn ahead
The Shanghai Composite was down 2.7 per cent to a seven-week low overnight
The wider Asian region was broadly positive, taking a lead from Friday's gains in New York and also as a result of a dip in the Yen. This tends to boost Japan's export-dominated economy and the Nikkei gained 0.7 per cent
Brent crude oil is up 0.7 per cent to $45.70, while the gold price is down 0.9 per cent to $1,280 as the dollar rises for the fourth consecutive session

Today has been one of consolidation on the UK's benchmark index after a strong rise on Wednesday to a new 2016 high
The Bank of England maintained its unanimous stance in favour of holding rates, emhasising supportive montary policy among global central banks
Oil had been lower this morning, but it is quite volatile ahead of a meeting in Doha of major producers this weekend and Brent crude has recovered to back above $44 a barrel. It's above its 200-day moving average
Even IMF warnings on the global economy are doing little to dampen the generally enthusiastic mood as concerns over China continue to subside. But individual stocks are weighing the index down today and investors are cashing profits
The FTSE 100 is essentially flat at 6,362. Leading the fallers are homebuilders after a dour report on house prices today, while Burberry is also down around three per cent after poor results
On the other hand miners, resources stocks, financials and pharmaceuticals, all of which are sensitive to the global economic climate, are doing well. BHP Billiton is leading the way with a rise of 2.5 per cent
Elsewhere in Europe the picture is generally positive, with the German Dax up 0.5 per cent, the French Cac 40 by 0.3 per cent and the FTSE Eurofirst 300 by 0.2 per cent
On Wall Street, a positive close on Wednesday is being following up by a similarly consolidative day today so far, with the S&P 500 and Dow Jones both relatively unchanged an hour and a half after re-opening
In Asian overnight there were some big rises, with a further fall in the yen boosting Japanese stocks and sending the Topix up 2.9 per cent
The Shanghai Composite in China rose 0.5 per cent, while the Hong Kong Hang Seng surged 0.9 per cent
Gold is quite range bound and remains relatively high, but it is falling a little today in the face of the equities rally. The spot price is down 1.3 per cent the $1,231 an ounce

Strong export data in China, a much stronger oil price and a recovery in Japan are all contributing to a very positive mood on markets
Beijing reported overnight that exports had jumped 11.5 per cent in dollar terms in March, while imports fell by a less than expected 7.6 per cent and the trade surplus closed a little to $29bn
It's just the sort of data that continues to make the case that the economy will not experience a hard landing that would have ripple effects around the world, even if the data is a bit skewed by an unsually weak February disrupted by the lunar new year
In Japan, a fall in the yen was warmly received and led to what the Financial Times describes as a "bargain hunting" rally for stocks
International oil remains high by recent standards after its strong advance on Tuesday, but it has fallen back today to a little under $44.50 a barrel
Investors are interpretting oil as a proxy for demand and are wary of the impact on the financial sector of oil remaining historically low, due to high corporate debt in the sector
In the UK the FTSE 100 is up 1.5 per cent to 6,334. It is being led, as is often the case, by miners and other resources stocks along with financials, all of which tend to respond the best to news affecting the global economy. Standard Chartered is up close to ten per cent
Surprisingly, Tesco has slumped nearly seven per cent despite a strong earnings report that included a return to profit and the first quarter of sales growth in three years
The slide is being blamed on cautious comments from CEO Dave Lewis on whether the group can hit analysts earning forecasts for the year
Elsewhere in Europe the German Dax is up 2.1 per cent, the French Cac 40 by 2.6 per cent and the FTSE Eurofirst 300 by 2.2 per cent
Wall Street rallied strongly on Tuesday by around one per cent - and its two main benchmarks are on the up again after re-opening this afternoon. The S&P 500 and Dow Jones have gained 0.7 and 0.6 per cent
In Asia a very positive session saw the Hong Kong Hang Seng surge 3.1 per cent, while the mainland Shanghai Composite added 1.4 per cent. The Japanese Topix jumped 2.6 per cent
Gold is dipping, but has remained surprisingly resilient in the face of the latest equities surge and the spot price has held at around $1,248 an ounce

The International Monetary Fund has cut its 2016 UK growth forecast, from 3.4% in January to 3.2% today, and warned that Brexit could cause "severe regional and global damage". In its latest World Economic Outlook, which came out this afternoon, the IMF said the UK's 23 June referendum had already created investor uncertainty and this would be heightened by a vote to exit.
Britain's annual inflation rate jumped to 0.5% for March, up from 0.3% in February, beating forecasts of a smaller rise of 0.4%. The pound initially rose on the back of the figures but fell to $1.431 after a new EU referendum poll put the Leave campaign in the lead.
In the FTSE 100, Tesco, Barclays and Lloyds Banking Group were among the top 20 risers, while shares in Sainsbury's, Marks & Spencer and Next were among those to fall.
MPs have been holding an emergency debate on the UK's steel industry crisis.
The price of gold hit a three-week high, partly because of the falling dollar, which slumped to an eight-month low.
Oil prices were at their highest so far this year today, buoyed by an upcoming Opec summit, although Goldman Sachs has warned there may be a post-meeting slump when investors realise there is no magic bullet.
At 3.19pm BST, the Dow Jones was down 0.02% at 17553.64, while the Nasdaq was down 0.46% at 4811.24.

The International Monetary Fund's latest World Economic Outlook, due at 2pm, is likely to set the scene today, with economists expecting it to downgrade growth forecasts.
London's stock market has opened cautiously: the FTSE 100 index dropped eight points in early trading.
Retail shares are dropping following a new survey showing that sales fell last month, partly due to the wet weather mixed with an early Easter. Tesco's shares are down 1.6 per cent after it sold an 8.6 per cent stake in south-east Asian online retailer Lazada to China's Alibaba Group, raising more than £90m.
Italy's government hopes to ease concerns over the stability of its banking sector, with a new $5bn fund to support its weaker banks.
On Monday, the Dow Jones industrial average fell 20.55 points, or 0.12%, to 17,556.41; the S&P 500 lost 5.61 points, or 0.27%, to 2,041.99; and the Nasdaq Composite dropped 17.29 points, or 0.36%, to 4,833.40.
International Brent crude futures were up 5 cents at $42.88 a barrel today, only 18 cents off their 2016-high reached the previous day.

Gloomy modelling from analysts had triggered a dour start to the new trading week, despite some positive economic data points in key Asian economies
Markets have eventually moved back into positive territory, though, continuing a strong rally that set in last week as oil prices bounce higher
In Japan overnight there was a slower-than-expected decline in industrial machinery orders reported for the first quarter, which the Financial Times says is a proxy for capital expenditure by companies and eases concerns over slowing growth
In fact, stripping out volatile elements like shipping and energy orders the data showed a near seven per cent rise over the first three months
Equity indices in the country still fell, with the Nikkei losing 0.4 per cent and the topix 0.6 per cent, after the yen strengthened further against the dollar. This is seen as a negative sign for the export-sensitive economy
In China there were steady inflation figures, a rise in food price inflation and a fall in wholesale deflation
All are positive signs for demand and emphasise the recent trend of figures pointing away from ahard landing for the world's critical growth engine
The Shanghai Composite rose at a decent clip of 1.7 per cent, while in Hong Kong a more circumspect session ended mostly flat
All of this positivity was being undone first up by revised forecasts from the World Bank, which points to slower global growth and slower expansion in Asia, even in spite of predictions that China will slow only moderately
Elsewhere there are widespread expectations that the International Monetary Fund will downgrade forecasts tomorrow - especially for advanced economies
But the optimism on the demand-sensitive oil price - Brent crude which has shot above $42 and on towards $43 a barrel - is prompting a return of risk appetite
In the UK the FTSE 100 is up 0.1 per cent to 6,211. Consumer-sensitive stocks fell in early trading, but the market has been moved back into positive territory on the back of gains among miners, resource stocks and banks
Elsewhere he German Dax is up one per cent, while the French Cac 40 and wider FTSE Eurofirst 300 are both up 0.5 per cent
On Wall Street the two key equity benchmarks have started their New York session well, with the S&P 500 up 0.6 per cent and the Dow Jones up 0.7 per cent an hour and a half after oepning this afternoon
Gold is continuing to improve as the dollar remains weak. The spot price is up 0.5 per cent to $1,256

There was a more positive mood around markets on Friday, as demand-sensitive benchmarks offer hope to investors nervous about global growth
A turnaround into losses on Thursday had been the result of yet another advance in the Japanese yen, which is seen as a safe haven at times of stress and that has come in spite of a move by the central bank into negative interest rates that should have devalued the currency
There had also been recent weakness in the oil price, adding to a sense that global demand is waning
This was being countered on Friday by a fall in the yen of 0.4 per cent, following comments overnight that the central bank may intervene to force depreciation, as well as a rise back above $41 for the international oil price and a rise in German exports
A critical indicator for the export-led German economy and the eurozone more widely, this latter is also potentially indicative that key global markets are back in buying mode
The FTSE 100 finished up 1.1 per cent to 6,204. It was mostly miners, resources stocks and financials doing well, with Anglo American leading the way with a rise of 8.1 per cent
The German Dax closed up oneper cent, while the French Cac 40 rose by 1.4 per cent. The wider FTSE Eurofirst 300 advanced 1.2 per cent
Wall Street dipped on Thursday, with the S&P shedding 1.2 per cent and the Dow Jones one per cent, but New York markets were similarly rallying on Fridayafternoon after re-opening
The two benchmarks had pared most of Thursday's losses by around an hour and a half after trading, rising far by 0.8 and 0.7 per cent after an hour and a half of trading
In Asia there was the rise you might expect given the central bank comments in Japan, with the Topix up 1.2 per cent. The Hong Kong Hang Seng jumped 0.5 per cent, while the mainland China Shanghai Composite fell again, by 0.8 per cent
Gold had done well on Thursday and was trading virtually flat on Friday, with the spot price at $1,238 an ounce

Markets are in a broadly positive mood on Thursday, after the latest sign of Fed dovishness and as oil prices stage a recovery
International oil benchmark Brent crude recovered to around $40 a barrel this morning, after data yesterday signalled the first fall in US stockpiles in two months and Kuwaiti officials sounded optimistic on a proposed Opec output freeze
Helping oil and other commodities was another fall in the dollar, on the back of the publication of the minutes from the most recent Federal Reserve policy meeting
The panel was split on the merits of increasing rates in the near future and as soon as April in particular, in what was seen as a generally dovish signal on the chances of a rates hike this side of the summer
Markets are still betting on no more rate rises until December - and that pleases investors, who typically sell out of risk assets at the slightest sign that central banks might tighten borrowing costs as they fear the effects on a fragile economy
The FTSE 100 is up 0.4 per cent to 6,186 so far, building on a gain of 1.2 per cent yesterday and putting it close to being back in the black for the week
Miners and resource stocks are understandably going well today, but AstraZeneca is leading the risers with a 2.2 per cent surge after the collapse of the Pfizer-Allergan deal that would have created the largest company in its sector in the world
Marks and Spencer is also doing well despite some poor results in its critical clothing segment, as its chief executive pledges a more radical turnaround. It's also up 2.2 per cent
The German Dax and French Cac 40 are up 0.6 per cent, while the wider FTSE Eurofirst 300 is up 0.2 per cent
On Wall Street the S&P 500 and Dow Jones jumped in the wake of the Fed and oil news, rising one per cent and 0.6 per cent. But futures markets indicate some of these gains could be given back later on today
Asian markets were mostly modestly positive, with the Topix in Japan up 0.4 per cent and Hong Kong's Hang Seng rising 0.2 per cent
The Shanghai Composite in mainland China gave up 1.4 per cent, as traders on the heavily controlled index await more economic news this week
Gold is holding steady as it's caught between the positivity of a falling dollar and weaker rates outlook but the risk-on move elsewhere. The spot price is $1,229 an ounce

Markets are rallying on Wednesday morning, as data coming out of China continues to indicate that fears of a 'hard landing' were overblown
Bourses across the world fell on Tuesday, after a cocktail of negative signals including a warning from the International Monetary Fund that global growth has lost momentum, some poor services data in Europe and not least in the UK, and a potential drag on Q1 growth in the US
But the global picture is mostly seen to be defined by China and overnight the latest purchasing managers' index for general services sectors showed another increase in March after a return to expansion in February
This has supported a rise in the demand-sensitive oil price, with Brent crude heading back towards $39 a barrel
In the UK the FTSE 100 is up 0.5 per cent in early trading to 6,123. Stocks that are sensitive to global demand sentiment, including miners, resources firms and international banks, are all among the risers
This includes Barclays, which is up two per cent despite an impromptu warning that its investment banking profits will be lower than thought. It did note, however, that a sale of its Africa unit to cut debt is progressing
Elsewhere in Europe the German Dax, French Cac 40 and FTSE Eurofirst 300 are more tentative, rising just 0.1 per cent so far
Wall Street had recorded the biggest falls in a month by the end of Tuesday trading, with the S&P 500 shedding one per cent and the Dow Jones 0.8 per cent
Futures markets indicate a bounce back when markets in New York re-open later today, with the S&P projected to add 0.4 per cent
Markets in Asia stemmed the tide of recent declines by the close after the better-than-expected China figures, with the Shanghai Composite shedding just 0.1 per cent. It has been on a positive run of late, bucking the trend in the wider region
In Japan the Topix and Nikkei both also lost just 0.1 per cent, although this constituted a seventh-straight fall that marks the longest losing streak under Prime Minister Shinzo Abe
Gold is losing some modest ground after a decent advance yesterday. The spot price is down 0.2 per cent at $1,226

A risk-off mood was apparent on markets on Tuesday, after a new warning on the global economy from the International Monetary Fund and some difficult economic data
IMF chief Christine Lagarde assured that the world remains in growth, but said momentum had been lost and governments needed to do more to shore up their recoveries
This coincided with a surprise fall in industrial orders in Germany and a dip in the oil price for the third consecutive session, encouraging fears over global demand
There has been positive data elsewhere, though - showing in particular that in Spain and Ireland services sector growth expanded in March
This should help to offset the most pronounced fears of a hard landing for the global economy. It is highly probable that some of the wider waning on markets is in fact a natural pull-back following a recent strong rally
Oil prices had already recovered as the afternoon wore on and were last in mildly positive territory, helping risk assets to pare some of their earlier losses
Shares in Asia tumbled overnight, not least in Japan where the yen hit 17-month high against the dollar, piling pressure on exporters and prompting speculation of intervention from central bankers
The country's Topix index sheda sizeable 2.6 per cent, while elsewhere in the region the Hong Kong Hang Seng lost 1.7 per cent. China's mainland benchmark, the Shanghai Composite, added 1.5 per cent
In Europe the FTSE 100 finished down 1.2 per cent to 6,091, improved from an earlier fall of 1.5 per cent. As you might expect miners and resources stocks led the fallers, with Glencore down 5.3 per cent
Tesco also lost ground and closed 1.7 per cent lower, despite new figures showing it has continued to slow the pace of its sales growth despite the deflationary environment in the groceries sector
In wider Europe the German Dax unsurprisingly led the downward move, shedding 2.6 per cent. The French Cac 40 was down t2.2 per cent and the FTSE Eurofirst 300 by 1.8 per cent
US markets dipped back on Monday following their latest 2016 high close on Friday. The S&P 500 and Dow Jones both dipped 0.3 per cent by the close in New York
Wall Street was marginally lower again after re-opening on Tuesday afternoon, as data show a potential drag on Q1 economic growth from a sizeable current account deficit. The S&P was last down 0.7 and the Dow by 0.5 per cent
Gold was higher on Tuesday as a result of the equities slide, jumping $11 to a spot price of $1,229 an ounce

European markets are muted at the start of a new week, which the Financial Times is mostly a result of a weaker oil price dragging down resources stocks
But losses are being pared already, with an improved underlying mood that set in on Friday continuing
This sentiment surge came after improved manufacturing data in China - and particularly in the wake of another strong US jobs report, but one which had enough negatives to suggest Federal Reserve monetary policy will remain loose
On Friday the S&P 500 rose to another new highest close for 2016. Futures markets currently suggest it will unchanged when it re-opens later today
The FTSE 100 is flat after less than an hour of trading, at 6,146. Ironically, there are miners at the top of both the risers and fallers lists early on, with Rio Tinto adding two per cent and Antofagasta losing 1.7 per cent
Elsewhere in Europe the French Cac-40 is down 0.4 per cent, while both the German Dax and the wider FTSE Eurofirst 300 are both shedding around 0.2 per cent
Asian trading was mixed overnight, with Chinese markets closed for a public holiday. In Japan the Topix was largely unchanged, adding just 0.1 per cent
Gold is volatile and lower than its recent highs as the likelihood of interest rate rises recedes. The spot price is down 0.4 per cent at $1,218

After an end-of-quarter dip yesterday, European markets have started the new quarter on a "sour note" on Friday, notes the Financial Times
This was despite some positive manufacturing data from China, where a keenly-watched purchasing managers' index unexpectedly jumped into modest expansion territory for March. This should in theory calm already fading fears of a hard landing for the important economy
The cause of the slump in sentiment was a huge nosedive on Japanese markets overnight, as a survey of large manufacturers showed the worst conditions for the sector in three years in the face of pressure from the strong yen
But things improved on Friday afternoon in the wake of a key US jobs report and an upbeat assessment of the US manufacturing sector
There were 215,000 jobs added last month in the world's largest economy and manufacturing jumped back into expansion territory. This suggests underlying economic resilience that will add to the positive recent signs on global growth
Moreover, because wage growth remains subdued - up only modestly at 2.3 per cent - and unemployment actually nudged higher it is likely the report will not encourage the Fed to raise rates faster
For investors, a positive report but one which does not threaten to lead to a tightening of monetary policy, is a real sweet spot
In the UK the FTSE 100 had been down by close to 1.5 per cent earlier in the session, but pared losses rapidly and finished just 0.5 per cent lower at 6,146
Elsewhere in Europe the declines are still severe, although the picture is similarly improving. The German Dax is down 1.7 per cent, the French Cac 40 by 1.4 per cent lower, and the wider FTSE Eurofirst 300 by 1.5 per cent
US markets had ended their final session of the quarter slightly lower on Thursday, with the S&P 500 and Dow Jones both losing around 0.2 per cent
They turned around a losing picture in futures to a mixed a positively-moving trend in early trading on Friday afternoon, however. The S&P is down 0.2 per cent, while the Dow was up by the same margin around an hour and a half after re-opening
In Japan, the Nikkei fell by a steep 3.6 per cent and the Topix lost 3.4 per cent. While the Shanghai Composite in China managed to eke out a 0.2 per cent gain, the Hong Kong Hang Seng lost 1.2 per cent
Gold is struggling in the face of an improvement in the dollar after the jobs report. The spot price was last down $23 at $1,211 an ounce

End of quarter portfolio consolidation and profit-taking is pulling equity indices lower on Thursday, according to the Financial Times
Bourses on both sides of the Atlantic have been around highs for the year in the past week, capping off a strong recovery that had built momentum over the course of the past month
The rally had coincided with a bounce back in the oil price, but this also fell overnight and is heading south again this morning. Brent crude is down 0.9 per cent at $38.90 a barrel
Another driving force has been a broadly accommodative stance on monetary policy from central banks, including this week a dovish message from the Fed's Janet Yellen. This is unlikely to change and could rekindle some positive momentum tomorrow
On Wall Street yesterday the S&P 500 and Dow Jones rose 0.4 and 0.5 per cent respectively on Wednesday, with the former closing at its highest level since end of December. The benchmarkets are projected to wane slightly when they re-open later today
In the UK the FTSE 100 rose above 6,200 for the third time this month yesterday, but in early trading this morning it has fallen 0.7 per cent to 6,160
It is the miners and resource stocks that led the way on Wednesday that are falling fastest this morning, with BHP Billiton down 3.2 per cent, Anglo American by 2.9 per cent, Glencore by 2.6 per cent and Rio Tinto by 2.1 per cent
Elsewhere in Europe the German Dax is down 0.7 per cent, the French Cac 40 by 1.2 per cent and the wider FTSE Eurofirst 300 by one per cent
Asian stocks also fell overnight, but they are distinct from their US and European counterparts in that they have been on a recent surge
A strong yen and worries over Chinese growth have caused the main benchmarks in these countries to lose 12 and 15 per cent so far this year
Overnight the Shanghai Composite in China eked out a 0.1 per cent gain, but in Hong Kong the Hang Seng lost 0.4 per cent. In Japan the Topix shed 0.7 per cent
Gold is volatile at the moment as it responds to the contradictory influences of a weaker interest rate outlook but greater demand for risk assets. The spot price is edging up 0.3 per cent today to $1,230 an ounce

Monetary policy is still the driving force on global markets at the moment - and dovish comments from the chair of the US central bank propelled broadly positive moves on Wednesday
Janet Yellen said in a speech the Federal Reserve should "proceed cautiously" before raising rates again amid global economic undertainty
The Financial Times notes these remarks are in stark contrast to those of some of Yellen's fellow rate setters recently and have undermined a growing sense that a follow-up to December's rates hike was on the cards as soon as April
In fact, market bets now have the chances of a hike at next month's meeting at zero. June is looking scarecely more likely and even the chances of the next movement coming as late as November are put at just over 50 per cent
As a result, the dollar fell to just above a five-month low and risk assets were in demand. Commodities denominated in dollars such as oil were also bouncing back
The FTSE 100 finished up 1.6 per cent to 6,203. Leading the way, as you might expect given the source of the rally, were miners and resource stocks and others heavily exposed to the global economy
Miner Anglo American top the list of risers with a surge of almost 12 per cent, while emerging markets lender Standard Chartered is up more than seven per cent
Similarly strong jumps are being recorded across Europe, with the German Dax up 1.6 per cent, the French Cac 40 up 1.8 per cent and the wider FTSE Eurofirst 300 up 1.3 per cent
Wall Street's benchmarks hit new 2016 highs at the end of their Tuesday session and were expected to open up again on Wednesday afternoon. The S&P 500 rose 0.9 per cent to 2,055 yesterday, while the Dow Jones gained 0.6 per cent
They did indeed continue the rally after re-opening and after an hour and a half of Wednesday trading the S&P was up another 0.6 per cent and the Dow Jones by 0.8 per cent
The US bounce propelled some big rises in Asia - and China in particular. The Shanghai Composite added 2.8 per cent, while the Hong Kong Hang Seng gained 2.1 per cent. In Japan the Topix still lost 1.6 per cent
The gold price had been recovering following its recent slide, which had been prompted by the renewed speculation on US rates hikes and the subsequently stronger dollar. But the risk rally was paring gains Wednesday afternoon
The spot price was last seen down 0.1 per cent to $1,234

A stronger US dollar in recent days as a result of more hawkish commentary from several members of the Federal Reserve interest rate setting committee is sending global stocks lower
In spite of a more dovish official message from the Fed last week, at which it cut expectations for the number of rate hikes from four to two this year, policymakers have ssid a strong labour market is increasing inflation expectations and that the next rise could happen in April
This is worrying for emerging markets who fear a capital flight and who have big dollar denominated debt piles - and the concept of tightening policy is turning investor sentiment more generally after recent central bank support
In the UK, there are also some poor company results dragging things down. The worst-hit stock is retailer Next, which has lost 14.7 per cent in after it warned it is facing its worst year since the financial crisis
The FTSE 100 more widely is down 1.4 per cent to 6,112. Brexit fears continue to play a role in undermining confidence and yesterday the pound hit its lowest level for two years
Elsewhere in Europe, the German Dax is down 1.4 per cent, the French Cac 40 by 1.9 per cent and the wider FTSE Eurofirst 300 by 1.3 per cent
In Asia overnight, the Shanghai Composite in China and Hong Kong's Hang Seng lost 1.6 and 1.3 per cent respectively, while the Japanese Topix lost 0.7 per cent
Wall Street ended lower on Wednesday, in part because of a waning of the oil price back towards $40 a barrel on a bigger-than-expected build in US stockpiles. The S&P 500 and Dow Jones lost 0.6 and 0.4 per cent
And the two benchmarks are softening again on Thursday, shedding 0.6 and 0.4 per cent in the first half an hour of trading
Gold is struggling as the more hawkish tone from central bankers upsets the apple cart of its strong rally so far this year. The sport price has recovered a little this afternoon, though, rising to $1,220

The FT notes a recent rally is "struggling for momentum"
It explains that the S&P 500 on Wall Street gained only 0.1 per cent in the previous two winning session and that it actually lost 0.1 per cent by the close yesterday
The index had lost 0.4 per cent an hour and a half after re-opening on Wednesday afternoon, in part as a result of a dip in global oil prices
Having recovered as the day went on yesterday, European markets were on Wednesday morning no longer in the grip of the safe haven rush that followed the tragic terrorist incident in Brussels
But having started out back into positive territory, as the day went on they pared gains and were volatile but largely unchanged by the close
In Europe the FTSE 100 was struggling as investors reacted to a poll showing a lead for the Brexit camp ahead of the EU referendum that is also hitting the pound hard
The UK benchmark finished up 0.1 per cent per cent to 6,199. Businesses and even the UK central bank have expressed concern that overseas investment will plummet for an extended period in the event of a vote to leave the EU
Leading the risers is B&Q owner Kingfisher, which reported better-than-expected results this morning, and Sky, which announced another increase in consumer prices yesterday. Among the top fallers are miners and resources stocks
Elsewhere the German Dax finished up 0.3 per cent, while the French Cac 40 lost 0.2 per cent and the wider FTSE Eurofirst 300 shed 0.1 per cent
Asian shares were mixed, with the Shanghai Composite in China adding 0.4 per cent and the Japanese Topix down by the same margin. The Hong Kong Hang Seng lost 0.3 per cent
Gold was losing ground as the safe haven rush runs out of steam and appetite for risk returns. The spot price was last at $1,222 an ounce

Stocks in Europe were slipping early on Tuesday, in the wake of a European terrorist atrocity in Brussels
Three suicide bombings took place in the morning at Brussels Airport and at a Metro station near the EU buildings. At least 34 people are thought to have been killed and hundreds have been injured
Markets tend to fall during times of strife as fear takes hold and attention understandably moves away from business and economic news
In particular travel shares also tend to be sold off as cancelled services and fewer passengers due to a more cautious mood hit profits
But an underlying resilience that has characterised trading recently returned later in the afternoon and most European bourses returned to modest gains by the close
The FTSE 100 managed to eke out a gain of 0.1 per cent to 6,193, representing a remarkable resilience and a recovery from an earlier fall of well in excess of one per cent.
BA owner International Consolidated Airlines Group, Thomson owner TUI and InterContinental Hotels were all among the leading fallers
But Sports Direct actually led the downward move, after its founder and deputy chairman Mike Ashley publicly snubbed a summons from a parliamentary committee and admitted the chain is "in trouble". It finished down 10.5 per cent
The German Dax closed up 0.4 per cent, while the French Cac-40 was up 0.1 per cent. The wider FTSE Eurofirst 300 still finished down 0.1 per cent. In Brussels the Bel20 gained 0.2 per cent
Wall Street eventually edged higher at the end of Monday trading in New York, with both the S&P 500 and Dow Jones adding 0.1 per cent. A choppy session eventually turned positive as the international oil price recovered above $41 a barrel
The S&P 500 traded virtually flat in the early stages after re-opening on Tuesday afternoon, while the Dow Jones was shedding a modest 0.2 per cent
In Asia the Japanese Topix returned from a holiday to record a 1.9 per cent gain, while the Shanghai Composite in China ended a six-day winning streak with a 0.6 per cent decline
The gold price was doing well on Tuesday, as equities fall and as the wider worries in the wake of the Brussels attack prompt the usual rush to safe havens. The spot price finished up around $7 at $1,251 an ounce

Investors were taking profits and consolidating at the start of the new week after a strong recent rally, says the FT, prompting some minor declines on European exchanges
This was despite a jump on the Chinese benchmark, the Shaghai Composite overnight, of 2.2 per cent to a two-month high, after a relaxation of lending rules that amounts to more stimulus boosted sentiment
Asian shares more widely were soft, however, and Japanese markets were on holiday
A lower oil price was not helping matters, with last week's high of around $42 a barrel given up and Brent crude at around $40.80 this morning after production in the US was seen rising for the first time since December
Oil has recovered as the day has gone on, though, as optimism over a deal to freeze supplies persists. Brent was last at around $41.50 a barrel
Wall Street was mixed in choppy trading after reopening this afternoon, having hit a new 2016 high by the close on Friday. The S&P 500 was down 0.1 per cent and the Dow Jones was up by the same margin
The FTSE-100 still finished down for the day, but by just 0.1 per cent to 6,184. Miners were, as usual, among the worst of the broad-based fallers for the day, with Antofagasta shedding 3.7 per cent
Elsewhere the German Dax finished virtually flat, while the French Cac-40 ended down 0.8 per cent and the wider Eurofirst 300 by 0.3 per cent
Gold was still lower following its dip at the end of last week, although it hasn't lost touch with the $1,250 resistance level that was providing firm support. The spot price was last at $1,245 an ounce

Bourses in Europe moved broadly positively during vmuch of the final session of the week as recent optimism continues
Central Bank action is still the driving force of the rally, after recent stimulus action from the European Central Bank and, less recently, from the Bank of Japan
The Federal Reserve also turned more dovish this week - while the Bank of England looks less and less likely to raise rates anytime soon
ECB president Mario Draghi also made headlines on Friday morning with a strong call at an EU summit yesterday for country leaders to follow up the monetary policy action with fiscal stimulus and structural economic reforms
Elsewhere the oil price is chipper - it was close to $42 a barrel on Friday afternoon - and Chinese officials have made more statements assuring markets that there will be no 'hard landing' for the world's second-largest economy
Wall Street ended higher overnight, with the S&P 500 and Dow Jones up 0.7 and 0.9 per cent and into the black for the year so far as a whole
The two benchmarks were rallying strongly at the start of the Friday session in New York, up 0.6 per cent apiece in the first half and a half after re-opening
The Thursday surge fed through into Asia overnight, too, where the Shanghai Composite gained 1.7 per cent and the Hong Kong Hang Seng added 0.8 per cent. Japan's Topix still lost one per cent, though
The FTSE 100 was up in early trading on Friday but consolidated as the day went on and investors banked profits from the recent strong rally. It finished down 0.2 per cent at 6,189
Miners and resource stocks are among the main fallers, despite the latest surge in the oil price. Going the other way emerging markets lender Standard Chartered was the fastest riser with a gain of close to 7.6 per cent
Both the French Cac-40 and the German Dax ended up, by 0.4 and 0.6 per cent respectively, while the wider FTSE Eurofirst 300 has ended up 0.2 per cent
The gold price lost a little ground in the wake of the latest leg in the equities rally, but was still above its $1,250 resistence level. The spot price was at $1,253 an ounce on Friday afternoon

On Wednesday evening, the Federal Reserve delivered almost the perfect tonic for markets and sparked an equities rally that has pushed US markets to near an 11-week high
The central bank managed to deliver an overall more positive view on the US economy and dismissed fears of a global crash, but at the same time turned more dovish on monetary policy in the face of sluggish inflation
There are now only two more rate rises pencilled in for this year, down from four at the time of the last meeting. But the Fed reckons the domestic economy will continue to record "moderate growth" and that the labour market will remain strong
A strong view on the economy with accommodative policy has cheered investors and buoyed risk assets, but at the expense of the dollar which has hit its lowest level against a basket of other currencies since October
Wall Street ended higher on Wednesday after a mostly mixed trading session before the announcement, with the S&P 500 and Dow Jones closing up 0.6 and 0.4 per cent.
The S&P was adding another 0.3 per cent on Thursday afternoon and is close to an 11-week high, just 0.5 per cent short of where it started the year. The Dow was 0.5 per cent higher
In Europe the rally also took hold but faded later. The UK benchmark the FTSE 100 is holding firm and higher, however, up 0.4 per cent to 6,201. It also bounced higher on Wednesday - in spite of the worsened picture on the UK finances presented at the latest Budget
To some extent the weaker prospects for the UK economy were priced in and the UK should still do well on comparative terms. Some tax cuts for businesses, including another corporation tax cut, have also sweetened the pill
It's those bellweather miners and resources stocks doing well again, boosted by the weaker dollar that makes commodities less expensive and the stronger oil price on news of an Opec meeting to freeze supplies
Across Europe the German Dax is down 0.9 per cent, the French Cac-40 by 0.5 per cent and the wider FTSE Eurofirst 300 by just 0.1 per cent
Asian shares were broadly higher overnight, with Chinese investor in particular being buoyed by more soothing words from officials that dismissed talk of a 'hard landing' for its economy
The Shanghai Composite and the Hong Kong Hang Seng both gained 1.2 per cent, while elsewhere in Japan the Topix edged up 0.1 per cent
Gold soared back to form in the wake of the weaker outlook for rates rises, with the spot price at $1,264 an ounce on Thursday afternoon

It may have been Budget day in the UK but all eyes were fixed on the other side of the Atlantic and the latest policy update from the US Federal Reserve
It was due to come after markets close in Europe and was expected to show that the central bank remains more hawkish than the market, amid strong employment and moderately rising inflation
Traders were keen to see if the stance of recent meetings is softened, though, and the four rises that had been pencilled in for this year were reduced to three or less
That would still have been more than the one expected by markets and would hit confidence if they feared the consequences of tightening monetary policy
On the other hand, economic confidence would play well to skittish investors nervous about global growth
The edging up in consumer prices was persuading investors on Wednesday afternoon that the policy stance will be at least to some degree hawkish, with the dollar up, stocks ekeing out gains and gold slightly down
Back in the UK, the Budget showed a sharp reduction in growth prospects but this was largely expected and priced in. Tax cuts for businesses also went down well
The FTSE 100 was up 0.6 per cent to 6,175. Miners and resources stocks did well early on but in the wake of the Budget, it was the likes of house builders leading the way and both Ashtead and Taylor Wimpey were near the top of the risers' chart
The German Dax was also up by 0.5 per cent. But the FTSE Eurofirst 300 was flat and the French Cac 40 ended down by a modest 0.2 per cent
Asian shares were mixed but mostly lower overnight, with the Hong Kong Hang Seng losing 0.2 per cent and the Japanese Topix shedding 0.8 per cent. The Shanghai Composite actually rose 0.2 per cent
US benchmarks were broadly flat at the end of their Tuesday session ahead of the Fed announcement that will come during trading today, with the S&P 500 finishing down 0.2 per cent and the Dow Jones gaining 0.1 per cent
Both the S&P 500 and Dow were subdued in early trading and both up just 0.1 per cent. Expect some more fireworks later, depending on what Janet Yellen announces
Gold is also subdued ahead of the rates call, sitting firm at $1,230 an ounce

Markets were down on Tuesday, after the Bank of Japan disappointed investors overnight by holding rates firm
The central bank had shocked investors earlier this year by introducing a tiered bank deposit structure that saw some of its rates pushed into negative territory
In that this amounted to a renewed bout of stimulus and emphasised policymakers' intentions to find new and creative ways to support flagging economies, investors welcomed the move
But last night the BoJ said while the economic outlook had worsened it was waiting to see the effect of its latest moves before acting again
Shares in Japan fell, with the Topix shedding 0.6 per cent
Elsewhere in Asia the Hong Kong Hang Seng lost 0.7 per cent, but its mainland China peer the Shanghai Composite gained 0.2 per cent even after officials reveaed they are considering introducing a financial transaction tax
Wall Street had ended broadly flat for the Monday session, as investors there looked forward to their own central bank meeting when the Federal Reserve meets tomorrow
Investors will be particularly keen to see how confident Janey Yellen and her colleagues are about rates rising later this year and perhaps as early as the summer
In Europe, the FTSE 100 eventually shed 0.6 per cent to 6,140, although this is up from an earlier low. As usual when global growth fears are in focus, it is miners that fell furthest and Anglo American followed up a strong Monday with a sharp dive of 11 per cent
Elsewhere the German Dax dropped 0.6 per cent, the French Cac-40 by 0.8 per cent and the wider FTSE Eurofirst 300 by 1.1 per cent
Gold was hit ahead of the Fed decision even despite the global fears. It slipped below $1,230 an ounce on Monday and was around $1,233 on Tuesday

European markets were rallying again on Monday, as investors continued to bask in the glow of the aggressive stimulus action of the European Central Bank and looked to other central bank policy decisions this week
The Bank of Japan, US Federal Reserve and Bank of England all report this week. While they are unlikely to replicate the "shock and awe" of the ECB, they are likely to indicate monetary policy will remain loose
There is also a generally improved economic sentiment driving shares up, as oil prices are higher and Chinese officials sound confident on hitting target growth this year of 6.5 to seven per cent
The FTSE 100 closed up 0.6 per cent to 6,174. Miners did well, as they tend to when the market mood on growth is positive. Anglo American recorded a rise of six per cent
Elsewhere in Europe, the German Dax finished up a substantial 1.6 per cent, the French Cac-40 by 0.3 per cent and the wider FTSE Eurofirst 300 by 0.7 per cent
Europe's gains came on the back of a strong session in Asia, where the Shanghai Composite in China rose 1.7 per cent and the Hong Kong Hang Seng rose 1.2 per cent
Again there are supportive monetary policy reasons for the rise, with the head of the markets regulator commenting it was too soon for the country to consider removing government support
Shares in Japan also did well, with the Topix rising 1.5 per cent
Wall Street had ended strongly on Friday, with the S&P rising 32 points, or 1.6 per cent, to 2,022. This meant it rose back above its 200-day rolling average, a technically bullish sign
The Dow Jones and S&P 500 were marginally lower in early trading after re-opening on Monday, by 0.3 and 0.1 per cent respectively, reflecting a big dip in the oil price and profit taking after the strong run
Having hit another 2016 high on Friday of above $1,280 the gold price dipped back slightly amid the equities rally. The spot price was last at $1,243 an ounce

European markets were flying on Friday, as a positive Asian session and a night's sleep has left traders more favourably disposed towards a "big bazooka" of stimulus measures from the ECB on Thursday
The central bank responded to a return to deflation in February and insipid growth by pushing its main interest rate negative and by lowering already negative bank deposit rates. It also unveiled a huge expansion to its monthly bond-buying programme
All together the package was more aggressive than anyone expected, but in some respects this was taken to indicate policymaker desperation
There were also comments in the press conference following the decision from ECB president Mario Draghi that there should not be further rate cuts, which led to traders pricing out future rate cuts
The net result was that after an initial surge during which some European equity markets soared three per cent, they gyrated wildly and ended well down. The FTSE finished at a two-week low of 6,036
As for the single currency, it slumped and then rebounded strongly within a wide four per cent range
But on Friday markets were uniformally up strongly - and a higher oil price and claims from the international energy watchdog that oil may have bottomed is helping to further boost sentiment
The FTSE 100 finished up 1.7 per cent to 6,140. Financial stocks including banks Barclays and RBS recovered well, while insurer Aviva picked up where it left off on Thursday with a surge of 6.2 per cent
Wider Europe was up even more. The German Dax closed up 3.5 per cent, the French Cac-40 by 3.3 per cent and the wider FTSE Eurofirst 300 by 2.7 per cent
All main Asian bourses ended higher after their Friday session, with the Hong Kong Hang Seng leading the way with a rise of 1.1 per cent
Wall Street ended flat after a volatile Thursday, but it joined the rally on Friday afternoon. The Dow Jones and S&P 500 were up 1.1 and one per cent around an hour and a half after re-opening
Gold had brushed close to its 2016 high at $1,277 an ounce overnight, but the improved equity picture dragged the metal lower to $1,258

European markets were "struggling for momentum" on Thursday morning, says the Financial Times, although all are modestly in the black in early trading
The paper says investors across the continent were "keeping their powder dry" ahead of the latest policy update from the European Central Bank, due around lunchtime
Then when the ECB did announce its latest decisions stocks went on a wild ride
At one point the main eurozone indices were as much as three per cent higher - and eventually European markets dipped markedly into the red after a rapid selloff
A huge stimulus package saw the main interest rate pushed below zero, already negative bank deposit rates lowered further and money printing ramped up. Stocks surged and the euro plummeted on the news
But then at the press conference the ECB said it did not expect to take any further action. This, combined with doubts over whether the ECB's act represented proactivity or desperation, sent markets gyrating wildly before eventually retreating
The FTSE 100 ultimately fell 1.8 per cent to 6,037. Miners led the way as usual, while Direct Line is a big faller after going ex-dividend, dropping 9.2 per cent
Among the stocks that did well insurer Aviva was among the leaders after a bumper earnings report. It finished up 1.4 per cent
Elsewhere in Europe the German Dax was down 2.3 per cent, the French Cac-40 by 1.7 per cent and the wider FTSE Eurofirst-300 by 1.8 per cent
Asian markets were mixed overnight, as Japanese shares took heed from the positive move on Wall Street and the country's own upgraded economic growth figures early this week. The Topix rose 1.5 per cent
On the other hand Chinese markets remained weak after its recent weak global trade data, with the Shanghai Composite down two per cent and the Hong Kong Hang Seng dipping 0.1 per cent
Wall Street remained solid overnight as international oil hovered around recent highs in the very early $40s. The Dow Jones and S&P 500 ended 0.2 and 0.5 per cent higher
The two US benchmarks were ekeing out gains in early trading this afternoon in choppy conditions, but they are very marginal
Gold has benefitted strongly from the volatile movements this afternoon, with the spot price jumping to $1,265 an ounce

A wobble on Tuesday that was caused by the return of jitters on the global economy and a slowdown in China seems to have "run its course", says the FT
European shares were firmer on Wednesday, although gains were also modest ahead of the latest update from the European Central Bank on Thursday
In fact the FTSE 100 had dipped a shade into the red heading to the last half hour of trading, though a late bounce saw it close 0.3 per cent higher and at 6,146
This understated rise came despite a huge rebound in the manufacturing sector that was way ahead of expectations and that bodes well for first quarter growth
Manufacturing output rose 0.7 per cent month-on-month in January. It had been expected to be up by 0.2 per cent - but experts reckon things look less rosy for February
Some miners are still struggling - the sector was one notable black spot in the data - and Burberry led the fallers with a slump of 6.7 per cent after a rumoured buyout was scotched
Elsewhere in Europe the German Dax is up 0.3 per cent, while the French Cac-40 and wider FTSE Eurofirst-300 are both up 0.5 per cent
Asian shares had overnight remained weak, with the Shanghai Composite losing 1.4 per cent and its first fall in seven sessions. It had begun to turn in an eventually flat session on Monday, after data revealed Chinese exports had slumped 25 per cent
Wall Street also finished lower in its Tuesday session, reacting in the main to a decline in the international oil price to below $40 a barrel
Both of the main benchmarks, the Dow Jones and S&P-500, rallied somewhat after re-opening on Wednesday aftermoon, gaining 0.3 per cent. This is partly the result of oil bouncing back to above $41 again
The gold price has lost some ground in the past day, but is still holding near its recent highs at $1,254 an ounce

European shares are declining on Tuesday, after China shocked global markets overnight with very poor global trading data that has renewed fears of a global slowdown
The FT notes official figures show "exports fell 25.4 per cent in February from a year earlier in dollar terms, the worst one-month decline since early 2009, while imports contracted 13.8 per cent"
Miners and other resources stocks have been on the up recently amid rising base metal prices and an oil rally, but they're seen as heavily reliant on China and emerging markets and so are taking a hit
European shares had improved into the early afternoon as a generally better mood of recent sessions crept back, but as Wall Street has reopened and joined the selloff the markets have resumed their downward move
The FTSE 100 is down 0.9 per cent to 6,126. Big miners Anglo American, BHP Billiton, Antofagasta, Rio Tinto and Glencore are all down between eight and 17 per cent. Worldpay is also struggling after poor annual results, down 6.4 per cent
The French Cac 40 is down one per cent, the German Dax is down 0.9 per cent and the wider FTSE Eurofirst 300 is also down one per cent
Poor China data affected the wider region, although the Shanghai Composite itself gained a marginal 0.1 per cent. The Hong Kong Hang Seng lost 0.7 per cent, while in Japan the Topix lost one per cent
Wall Street had started lower on Monday, but as the international oil price rose above $40 a barrel the two main benchmarks, the Dow Jones and S&P-500, both ended in the black. They closed up 0.4 and 0.1 per cent
They've joined the negative move this afternoon, though, shedding 0.7 and 0.8 per cent in a little over an hour after re-opening after the IMF reiterated warnings on the global economy
The gold price has been holding at a high level even as equities recovered in recent sessions. The spot price is at $1,267 an ounce

European markets were off to a weak start on Monday, as an extended rally of recent sessions waned
The FT notes the FTSE All-World index, used as a proxy for global market sentiment, rose more than ten per cent from a two-and-a-half year low on 12 February to a two-month high at the end of last week
Shares have been supported by a stronger oil price, which is being taken as a sign of improved global demand and is positive for resources stocks
News out of China over the weekend was also seen as positive, after officials set a growth target of 6.5 per cent to seven per cent for this year
Last year, the target was "around" seven per cent and growth came in at 6.9 per cent - so the latest pronouncement could be an indicator that a "hard landing" is unlikely
Monday's softer opening is most likely a natural pullback due to profit-taking, but it's also being exacerbated by a warning from the respected Bank of International Settlements that a "storm" could be gathering on markets
The FTSE 100 ended down 0.3 per cent to 6,182, although this represents a recovery from earlier losses of closer to one per cent. Resources firms and miners were doing badly, while payment processing firm Worldpay finished down 2.7 per cent ahead of its annual results on Tuesday
Elsewhere in Europe, the German Dax closed down a hefty 0.5 per cent, after the country reported a fall in factory orders last month that was driven by weaker domestic demand
The French Cac 40 and wider FTSE Eurofirst 300 both closed down 0.3 per cent
Asia's overnight session was mixed, with the Shanghai Composite up 0.9 per cent by the close, but the Hong Kong Hang Seng down a marginal 0.1 per cent. The Japanese Topix lost close to one per cent
Wall Street ended last week on a qualified high, with the Dow Jones and S&P 500 0.4 and 0.3 per cent higher respectively
This came after the economy added a better-than-expected 242,000 jobs in February, which is a sign the US labour market is strong. Some investors might be worried, though, that this could accelerate the path to faster interest rates
The two US benchmarks are also soft after re-opening on Monday afternoon. The S&P 500 lost 0.4 per cent, while the Dow Jones is actually marginally in the black
Gold price has continued to push higher and the spot price is currently $1,270 an ounce

European markets have started lower on Thursday, but the FT notes that global markets in general are holding around eight-week highs
A more positive mood on the US economy amid a spate of encouraging data, a firmer oil price and the renewed commitments of central banks to easing has helped sentiment of late - and sent Europe-wide indices on a five-day winning streak
On the negative side today, China's services sector was revealed to have slowed to the lowest level in three months - though it is still expanding. Japan's services sector also cooled slightly
Asian markets still eked out gains overnight, with the Shanghai Composite up 0.4 per cent and the Japanese Topix up 1.4 per cent. The Hong Kong Hang Seng was the lone loser, dropping 0.3 per cent
Wall Street turned an early negative shift into a positive close overnight to continue a prolonged positive run, after a jobs report came in strong and showed 214,000 private sector roles were added in February. The S&P 500 and Dow Jones finished 0.4 and 0.2 per cent
In as much as this might lay the ground for more interest rate rises and general monetary policy tightening sooner than markets might prefer, it could temper the upbeat mood
US investors were underwhelmed by a report showing service sector growth slowing in February - and the two benchmarks are a little lower early on
The UK's services sector was also revealed to have grown at a slower rate last month, which could have implications the wider economy
The FTSE 100 is 0.4 per cent lower to 6,126. Satellite firm Immersat, pubs and coffee chain business Whitbread and ITV are all at the top of the fallers list with losses of three to six per cent, after inidividually weak market updates
In Europe the German Dax and French Cac-40 are down 0.4 and 0.5 per cent respectively. Revised data on their services sector showed Germany's powering ahead and France's dipping further into modest contraction
The wider FTSE Eurofirst 300 is 0.6 per cent lower
Gold is doing well despite the dollar firming, continuing its resugent run. The spot price is at $1,256 an ounce

Wednesday started as a day full of much-needed positivity on the global economy, which caused Asian shares to rise in what the FT describes as a "boisterous" session overnight and extended a European markets rally into a third day in the early part of trading
Consolidation through the late morning and early afternoon saw most European markets dip into modest losses, before a late surge left all bourses bar the FTSE 100 back in the black - and even the UK's benchmark had moved to almost parity
In the US, the S&P 500 ended the Tuesday session 2.4 per cent higher after stronger-than-expected manufacturing activity, which came after GDP growth for the fourth quarter was uprated last week, defied gloomy predictions
Australia also surprised on the upside with economic data, posting three per cent expansion for 2015 as a whole. This bolstered the Asia-Pacific trading session, during which the Japanese Nikkei surged four per cent
Switzerland also posted better-than-expected growth, and commodities are rising - which is seen as positive for demand
Brent crude oil was down a touch at a little more than $36 a barrel this afternoon after a big build in stockpiles last week, but anything above $35 is currently interpreted well by markets
There was, later on, more positive news on US jobs, after an estimate reckoned on 214,000 private sector roles being added in February. Traders may dislike this in some respects, in as much as it signals a greater likelihood of more monetary policy tightening to come
The FTSE 100 enbded 0.1 per cent lower at 6,147. Miners and financial stocks, which have been under pressure in recent months, were leading the way
Elsewhere in Europe, the German Dax was 0.4 per cent higher, the French Cac 40 by 0.6 per cent and the wider FTSE Eurofirst 300 by 0.7 per cent
Gold remains solid despite the positivity on risk assets, with the spot price holding at $1,239 an ounce

European markets are carried on the positive momentum they built up towards the close on Monday, as renewed stimulus in Asia, weak bond yields and firmer oil prices all helped to boost sentiment
The stimulus came from the People's Bank of China, which reduced the minimum capital requirement for its banks in order to boost lending
This came in response to a post-crisis low in its manufacturing activity PMI reading, which fell to 49 for February (where 50 or above indicates expansion). Some of this fall will be a result of the lunar new year holiday, which lasted for around a week
Most Asian bourses rose on the back of the central bank action, with the Shanghai Composite adding 1.7 per cent. Japanese stocks also rose after the yen fell in what was perceived as a boost for exporters, with the Nikkei gaining 0.4 per cent
As for the bonds weakness, the FT notes that German 10-year bund yields were at just 0.13 per cent on Tuesday morning, as investors looked to potential further stimulus from the European Central Bank next week. This boosts the relative attraction of equities
Finally among the positive indicators, oil, which is now being treated as a bellweather for demand, rose backs near its 2016 high of $37 as Saudi Arabia made further comments in support of a prospective deal to freeze supply
There are still fears that the oil rally will collapse, however, as Iran is still not participating in the freeze talks and is unlikely to agree to any deal that prevents it returning to pre-sanctions export levels. Brent was back to a little above $36 on Tuesday afternoon
After initially dipping on the open, the FTSE-100 closed 0.9 per cent higher at 6,153, with UK investors shrugging off data showing manufacturing activity at a 34-month low
The London Stock Exchange group itself led the way with a gain of more than seven per cent, after the owner of the New York Stock Exchange indicated it may put in a rival offer to buy the business as talks continue with the parent company of the Frankfurt exchange
Elsewhere in Europe, the German Dax finished by 2.3 per cent, the French Cac-40 by 1.2 per cent and the wider FTSE Eurofirst-300 by 1.5 per cent
In the US, Wall Street's two main benchmarks, the S&P-500 and Dow Jones, had lost ground into the close on Monday and ended with losses of 0.8 and 0.7 per cent
The two have re-joined the rally Tuesday afternoon, though, adding 0.8 and one per cent respectively in the first hour or so of trading in New York
Gold has benefitted from a steadying of the dollar, but has waned as the risk rally has continued through the day. The spot price is currently just shy of $1,232 an ounce

European markets were falling on the back of a strong two-session rally on Monday, as the two primary bellweathers for investors both give off negative signals
First up is oil, with Brent crude rising to an eight-week high above $37 at one point on Friday in New York before falling sharply towards the end of the session as hopes for a deal to cut production faded fast
More crucial are the latest updates in China, where a slowdown in growth is unnerving global markets
China's currency is being devalued rapidly again, which is perceived as a weak sign. There are also reports that 1.8 million workers will be lost in the energy sector
In the end, the Shanghai Composite lost 2.9 per cent, although this was an improvement on an intraday low of 4.4 per cent. In Hong Kong, shares lost 1.3 per cent
Further afield in Asia, the Japanese Topix lost one per cent after the country's industrial production decline accelerated
Things did improve later on in the session, however, as oil improved and Brent rose back above $36 - and eventually most European indices pared their earlier losses
The FTSE 100 ended the day essentially flat on 6,097, holding above the critical threshold it recovered during its rally at the end of last week
Tesco was among the hardest fallers for the day, down two per cent after rival Morrisons revealed it had signed a deal with Amazon to sell to its subscription customers in what was seen as a major coup
Elsewhere in Europe the German Dax finished down 0.2 per cent, buth the French Cac 40 and the broader FTSE Eurofirst 300 both recorded gains, of 0.9 and 0.7 per cent respectively
Wall Street's two main benchmarks, the S&P 500 and Dow Jones, had ended Friday with modest losses. The S&P was basically unchanged about an hour and a half after re-opening, while the Dow was down 0.2 per cent
Gold is doing better again as equities slide, rising to $1,233 an ounce in London

European markets extended a strong rally into a second day on Friday, tracking a bounce on Wall Street overnight that has similarly resumed after US indices reopened this afternoon
In truth, the driving force continues to be the oil price. Brent crude rose back above $35 a barrel on Thursday on reports that more meetings on a production freeze are to take place - and they went above $36 on Friday afternoon
Even China's main benchmark, the Shanghai Composite, recorded an eventual gain of one per cent, as its finance minister assured it has more policy options to inject stimulus into its economy
But there were still concerns as a G20 meeting got underway, with the German finance minister insisting there is little policy room to stimulate economies further - and the oil oversupply is still entrenched, with Iran not participating in deal talks
The FTSE-100 closed up 1.4 per cent to 6,096, with emerging markets lender Standard Chartered recovering from a hammering earlier in the week and leading the way with a rise of 7.9 per cent
There were positive moves for resource stocks on the china positivity, as well as the likes of Burberry, Tesco and HSBC
On the flip side, Royal Bank of Scotland weighed on the market with a loss of close to 7.1 per cent, after it reported its eighth consecutive annual loss, of £2bn
The German Dax finished up two per cent, the French Cac-40 by 1.6 per cent and the wider FTSE Eurofirst-300 also by 1.6 per cent
Wall Street's two key benchmarks, the S&P-500 and Dow Jones, ended the Thursday session up 1.1 and 1.3 per cent, which led to a strong rise in Asia that saw the Hong Kong Hang Seng surge 2.5 per cent
The two US markets were up again in early Friday trading, though gains are more marginal so far. The Dow is up 0.3 per cent around an hour and a half after markets re-opened
Gold is waning a little in the face of the equities rebound, having lost more than $15 today to $1,219

European shares enjoyed a strong rally on Thursday, as firmer oil prices and solid economic data in the UK calmed fears over the global economy
Oil had risen from around $33 to above $34.50 on Wednesday after US demand for petrol products rose and crude inventories in the US jumped by less than expected. It was last holding at just below $34
Oil has become a key barometer of risk for investors, amid wider concerns on the global economy. But as the likes of the UK and US economies continue to see decent underlying performance, fears are subsiding a little
Confidence is still brittle, though, and there was also a major selloff in China for markets to digest, which came after the country's finance minister said he "understood" worries over the global economy
The huge 6.4 per cent slump in Shanghai was being shrugged off because it is widely seen as inevitable profit taking after the market gained seven per cent since the beginning of February
The FTSE-100 closed up 2.5 per cent to 6,013. Lloyds rose 13.6 per cent after it upped its dividend, even despite a bit increase in its PPI provision and fall in profit
UK investors cheered the latest update on GDP figures, which confirmed growth of 0.5 per cent for the final quarter of 2015. There were flies in the ointment, though, in the form of weak business investment and a drag from falling exports
The German Dax finished up 1.8 per cent, while the French Cac-40 gained 2.2 per cent and the wider FTSE Eurofirst-300 surged two per cent
On Wall Street the two main indices are essentially flat so far, holding on to the decent gains they had made on Wednesday afternoon amid the oil rally and in spite of weak economic data points
Gold is doing well at the moment after the equities fall earlier this week, with the spot price at $1,236

Global markets remain utterly in the thrall of oil prices, says the Financial Times, as the latest drop in the commodity triggered another downward turn for risk assets
Oil dipped again and was hovering around $33 after the Saudi oil minister stated that a deal to actually cut production to support higher prices will "not happen"
The FTSE-100 ended down 1.6 per cent to 5,867, although this was an improvement on the loss it opened with as a becalmed environment continues to temper selling
Among the usual miners and resource stocks that led the fallers, Standard Chartered struggled after reporting its shock loss Tuesday. It finished down 4.4 per cent
Elsewhere in Europe the German Dax ended a sizeable 2.6 per cent lower, while the French Cac 40 lost two per cent and the wider FTSE Eurofirst 300 shed 2.3 per cent
A mostly negative Asian session saw Japanese shares slide, with the Topix down 0.5 per cent, and the Hong Kong Hang Seng drop 1.2 per cent. The Shanghai Composite increased 0.9 per cent
Wall Street also ended lower in its Tuesday session, with the S&P-500 and Dow Jones down 1.3 per cent and 1.1 per cent respectively
The two US benchmarks opened lower again on Wednesday and in the first hour-and-a-hour of trading they lost 1.4 and 1.5 per cent
Gold continues to benefit from the slight softening in equities, with the spot price up $1,248

European shares were softer on Tuesday, which in part reflected the underlying caution that continues on markets and that prompted an inevitable pullback following a decent advance on Monday
Over the previous seven sessions global stocks had risen around six per cent from a nadir reached on 11 February, according to the Financial Times and based on analysis of the FTSE All World
Shares had held relatively firm at a slightly lower level for much of the day, but sold off a little more liberally in the closing stages in Europe and early trading in the US this afternoon, as oil dipped back below $34 a barrel
On a day of relative calm it is big drag effects from key companies that are doing most of the leg work in terms of the declines
One such loser in London was Standard Chartered, the emerging markets lender which reported its first annual loss in 17 years. It was down 6.7 per cent and leading the fallers
Another is BHP Billiton, the global mining giant which reported a huge £4bn first-half loss. It finished down six per cent and dragged down some of its peers, including Glencore, Anglo American, Antofagasta and Rio Tinto
On the flip side the London Stock Exchange Group itself surged with an advance in excess of 14 per cent, after it confirmed it was in merger talks with German rival Deutsche Boerse
Overall the FTSE 100 ended down 1.3 per cent to 5,962
Elsewhere, the German Dax also fell 1.6 per cent, prompted in part by data showing the first fall in exports from the country since 2012. The French Cac 40 was down 1.4 per cent, while the wider FTSE Eurofirst 300 fell 1.3 per cent
On Wall Street, a rally on Monday saw the S&P 500 and Dow Jones close higher on Monday by 1.5 and 1.4 per cent. They were off Tuesday afternoon just over an hour in the new day, by 0.7 and 0.6 per cent respectively
A generally soft Asian session saw the Chinese Shanghai Composite dropped 0.8 per cent, while the Hong Kong Hang Seng slipped 0.3 per cent. The Japanese Topix ended down 0.7 per cent
Gold is rising a little as a result of the wider equities dip, with the spot price at $1,223 an ounce

Global equities set off on another rally to start the week, as fears apparently recede about global economic headwinds
Oil was firmer, although by no means especially high, after last week's backing for a deal to constrain supply from key Middle East oil power Iran
Industrial materials also start the week higher after a stronger Asian session as fears over a Chinese slowdown subside - although there appears to be little reason for the change so sentiment could shift back
The FTSE 100 ended up 1.5 per cent to 6,038. Miners and resource stocks led the way, while BT also did well despite fresh demands in the press from rivals for it to be split
Near the top of a fallers list dominated by housebuilders was Sainsbury's, which is down 2.3 per cent after its buyout offer for Argos was trumped. It now has a day to up the ante, back off or ask for more time to consider its options
While shares in the UK are doing well, sterling has recorded its fastest fall in 11 months after Boris Johnson came out in favour of Brexit
Elsewhere in Europe, the German Dax and French Cac-40 finished up two and 1.8 per cent, while the wider FTSE Eurofirst-300 was up 1.7 per cent
On Wall Street the week also started positively, with the S&P-500 and Dow Jones up 1.3 and 1.2 per cent after an hour and a half of trading respectively
A positive Asian session saw all major bourses end higher, with the Shanghai Composite leading the way with a rise of 2.4 per cent. The Japanese Topix ended 0.6 per cent higher
Gold is sliding a little due to the stronger equities position, but is holding above $1,210 an ounce

European shares are mixed on on Thursday, as a four-day rally and a particularly strong rise on Wednesday prompts a bout of profit-taking from nervy investors in the UK, but bourses on the continent continue to advance
Shares in Asia had risen strongly overnight, with Japanese Topix surging 2.3 per cent on hopes of more central bank stimulus, while the Hong Kong Hang Seng jumped 2.3 per cent. Shares in Shanghai dipped 0.2 per cent
The US also rose again on Wednesday, with the S&P 500 and Dow Jones up 1.7 and 1.6 per cent respectively
The S&P is up 6.5 per cent from a low on 11 February and is broadly flat after an hour and a half of trading in New York again this afternoon. The Dow Jones is up 0.1 per cent
Oil is helping sentiment as it remains significantly above its week low on Tuesday following supportive comments on a supply freeze from Iran. Brent crude is now back above $35 a barrel
The FTSE 100 is down 0.8 per cent to 5,983. As is typical when the Chinese mainland index subsides, mining and resource stocks are among the major fallers, with Anglo American down more than seven per cent
Financial sector stocks are also suffering again, with Barclays, Standard Life, Royal Bank of Scotland, HSBC, Legal and General and Aviva all shedding between 1.3 and 3.5 per cent
Elsewhere in Europe the German Dax is up 1.3 per cent, the French Cac 40 by 0.6 per cent and the FTSE Eurofirst 300 by 0.2 per cent
Gold has settled over the past few sessions at around $1,200 an ounce and it is similarly placed in early trading in Europe. The spot price has moved higher today and is currently $1,216

Global equity bourses surged on Wednesday afternoon, as oil firms up following its late dive on Tuesday and improved sentiment from earlier in the week in Europe builds
The FTSE-100 closed up 2.9 per cent and finished above the key 6,000 barrier at 6,030. Miners did well, while Sainsbury's was also up strongly by 4.8 per cent
There was a welcome reception to unemployment data for the UK, which showed the jobless total fell by 60,000, employment reached a new record, but weaker wage growth
Elsewhere in Europe, the German Dax ended up 2.7 per cent, the French Cac-40 three per cent and the FTSE Eurofirst-300 2.7 per cent
Wall Street was also up again early in its Wednesday session, building on positive gains in the US on its first session back after the President's Day holiday on Tuesday
US indices were seen as having risen because they were "playing catch up" with a Monday markets rally - and the momentum has remained with an early 1.3 and 1.2 per cent gain for the S&P-500 and Dow Jones respectively
Helping the risk rally was oil, with Brent crude up to close to $34 a barrel despite doubts over a deal between Rusia and Saudi Arabia to freeze production, as Iran looks unlikely to endorse the agreement. This is still down on a week high of closer to $36
In Asia overnight, the Hong Kong Hang Seng shed one per cent and the Japanese Topix lost 1.1 per cent. The Shanghai Composite bucked the wider trend and gained 1.1 per cent
Gold is holding at the lower level it fell to earlier this week, which remains high compared to where it ended last year. Spot gold was at around $1,210

Equities and risk assets are being supported on Tuesday, as the supportive language of central banks and the latest rally in oil drives markets higher
European shares are still benefitting from the European Central Bank president Mario Draghi's hint that it might embark on fresh stimulus
Elsewhere Chinese shares are still surging after returning from the new year break as a result of fresh currency support from its central bank, helping Asia to push higher
Oil is doing well as a result of the news that the Saudi and Russian oil ministers are to meet to discuss supply cuts. Brent rose has now risen back above $35 a barrel
The FTSE-100 is up 0.7 per cent to 5,864. Resource stocks are surging at the top of the risers list, with BP and Shell up 4.2 and 3.6 per cent. Miners are also doing well
The German Dax and French Cac-40 have so far risen 0.3 and 0.8 per cent. The wider FTSE Eurofirst-300 0.6 per cent
In Asia overnight the Shanghai Composite jumped 3.3 per cent, while the Hong Kong Hang Seng rose 1.1 per cent. The Japanese Topix finished up 0.4 per cent
Gold is well down on where it had been over the past weel or so, hovering back around the $1,200 an ounce in Europe this morning

Wednesday's upwards move has proved to be little more than another brief relief rally in a prolonged down trend driven by investor panic about the global economy
Very little tangible data has emerged from larger economies such as the US to justify the scale of the investor exodus from risk, but the well-evidenced slowdown in China and a ccommodities rout continue to hold the gloom in place
Yesterday a speech by the Federal Reserve chair Janet Yellen that suggested a more dovish stance initially lifted spirits, but eventually the subtext of weaker growth just played into the pessimistic narrative on markets
It also likely did not help matters that Yellen remained firm in her belief that the US economy would strengthen and that rates would adjust upwards gradually, which failed to kill off the chances of another rates hike in March or several this year
Having started markedly higher, Wall Street dipped back into the red by the close of its overnight session. The S&P-500 ended only marginally down, but the Dow Jones lost around 0.6 per cent
And after re-opening this afternoon the S&P-500 and Dow Jones have lost another 1.3 and 1.4 per cent. The S&P is in with a chance of registering the lowest close since April 2014
In Asia the rout continued, with the Hong Kong Hang Seng returning from several days of holiday to lose 3.9 per cent. Japan's markets were on a welcome holiday following their recent slide
In Europe the FTSE-100 has dived 21.5 per cent to 5,590, although this is at least better than a slide well in excess of 2.5 per cent earlier. Resource stocks, housebuilders and banks are among the top losers again
Also among the top fallers is BP, which is down around 4.6 per cent as it is hit by another leg lower for the oil price. Brent crude is back at around $30 a barrel after the US watchdog reported record reserves in its key domestic delivery hub
Elsewhere the German Dax is down two per cent and the Cac-40 is down three per cent. The wider FTSE Eurofirst-300 has lost 2.7 per cent
Gold is making massive gains amid the broader turmoil, as is the Japanese Yen as investors rush to safe havens. The yellow metal has smashed its latest apparent resistence level and is trading at $1,246 this afternoon

European shares rallied on Wednesday after a painful selloff in the two previous sessions this week
Concerns over the banking sector, related to exposure to oil sector weakness and the effect on earnings of negative interest rates, are still unsettling investors
In Asia, this led to another rout on Japanese markets, which slumped three per cent to 15-month lows. Australian markets also entered bear market territory
But there was a bit more confidence in European banks after Deutsche Bank's "we're rock solid" response yesterday - coupled with a more dovish message on rates from the Fed chair Janet Yellen sentiment
Wall Street had already pared most of the losses made during the day in its Tuesday session as oil recovered slightly following an earlier slump. Indices there were rising again after Yellen's speech
The FTSE-100 closed up 0.7 per cent to 5,672. Tesco advanced after steady supermarket sales figures yesterday, up 4.3 per cent, while insurer Prudential led the way with a rise of 4.4 per cent
The French Cac-40, German Dax and wider FTSE Eurofirst 300 also all advanced, the first two by 1.6 per cent and their pan-European peer by 1.8 per cent
Wall Street ended essentially flat after its Tuesday trading, but the S&P 500 and Dow Jones were up 1.1 per cent a little over an hour after re-opening on Wednesday afternoon
Gold is still strong but is below the eight-month zenith it achieved earlier in the week. It was last at $1,188 in London
Oil is benefitting from the risk rally this afternoon and Brent crude was back above $31 a barrel

European shares started out slightly higher on Tuesday morning, even after another rout on those Asian markets not closed for the Chinese New Year overnight
The Japanese Nikkei slumped 5.4 per cent, marking its worst one-day fall in close to three years as its banking sector in particular succumbed to concerns over the global economy
The rout in Europe on Monday had also been caused by financial sector concerns, with Deutsche Bank, for example, falling to its lowest level since 1992
Among other issues, general global economic worries and exposure to bad loans in the energy sector amid the oil price slump are to blame for the sharp negative turn in sentiment on bank stocks
Europe had initially bucked the trend as Deutsche issued a reassuring statement on its finances - and a statement from US investment bank Goldman Sachs asserted there is a near-zero chance of a major recession
But the negative market sentiment - which Goldman described as trader "tantrums" - continues and European shares gave up their early gains to fall uniformally into the red within an hour of opening. Losses then only extended
The FTSE 100 ended with a one per cent fall to a three-year low of 5,632. Miners led the fallers, but Barclays, Royal Bank of Scotland and emerging markets lender Standard Chartered are also featuring high
Elsewhere in Europe, the German Dax finished down 1.1 per cent and the French Cac-40 lost 1.7 per cent. The wider FTSE Eurofirst-300 closed down 1.6 per cent
In the US, sharp early gains were pared a little later on, but the S&P-500 and Dow Jones did both still record slides of 1.4 per cent or 1.1 per cent
Wall Street indices had attempted to rally early on after re-opening on Tuesday afternoon, but also succumbed to the broader gloom before too long. The S&P-500 was sliding towards parity and the Dow Jones was down 0.4 per cent
The gold price is holding near eight-month highs struck yesterday as the equity rout rolls on, sitting at $1,189 in London this morning

Global equity markets were falling fast again on Monday, as the gloom that has taken over trading room sentiment on the global economy continues to dominate
Investors are worried about a slowdown in China that they fear will spread to the US and other hitherto stronger developed economies
In some respects, this was not helped by a mixed US jobs report on Friday. Overall the sharper than expected fall in new jobs has bolstered the bears more than the bulls
The oil price is also falling again after starting the week firmer in Asia overnight, adding to the sense that demand is waning across the global economy
The FTSE-100 was down 2.7 per cent to 5,689. At the top of the fallers' list were economic bellwether housebuilders, with Berekley Group shedding 7.7 per cent, Taylor Wimpey 6.8 per cent and Barratt Developments 6.5 per cent
But emphasising the sentiment-driven nature of the slide, in the UK, a survey on Monday morning revealed a big a boost to spending and thus a "feel good" start to the year for shoppers
As the economy is driven by domestic demand, this bodes well for GDP growth - and even a weaker business sentiment survey pointed to ongoing growth in activity and job creation
Elsewhere in Europe, the French Cac-40 ended down 3.2 per cent, similarly despite a survey showing business confidence rising to a five-year high
The German Dax and the FTSE Eurofirst-300 are also down 3.3 and 3.4 per cent
Wall Street has joined the selloff after re-opening in the afternoon, with both the S&P-500 and Dow Jones down around two per cent an hour and a half after trading kicked off
Asian indices are mostly on holiday for the Lunar New Year but in Japan, the Topix rose by 0.8 per cent overnight
Gold is surging after recovery from an initial dip in the wake of Friday's report. Amid a rush to safe havens, it soared to an eight-month high of $1,192

Friday was always going to be about a US jobs report due as markets re-opened in the US this afternoon, which would either add to woes that investors think will keep interest rates lower or buck the wider gloom
In the event the report did a bit of both. New job additions fell sharply from a revised 262,000 to 151,000, undershooting expectations, but the jobless rate dipped below an already-low five per cent and wage rises picked up to 2.5 per cent
Overall analysts were focusing on the positives and still seeing a strong Labour market. This keeps a rate rise in the next few months on the table - and hit both equities and gold initially, but boosted the dollar
Things had already started to turn before the close in Europe, however, as the longer-standing prediction that interest rates will not rise again any time soon came back to the fore
In Europe, investors held steady through most of the day but they began selling liberally into the close and sent all main indices into the red
The FTSE-100 ended down 0.9 per cent to 5,848. Falls are broad-based and among the worst hit stocks were Royal Mail, Sky and insurer Aviva
Elsewhere in Europe, the FTSE Eurofirst-300 was down 0.8 per cent. The German Dax is down 1.1 per cent, while the French Cac-40 is down 0.6 per cent
On Wall Street, both the S&P-500 and Dow Jones were down around 0.7 per cent after an hour and a half of trading, continuing a downward move that set in later on Thursday afternoon
Overnight, the Asian picture was mostly in the red, with the Japanese Topix still slumping in line with a dire recent trend and finishing down 1.4 per cent. The Hong Kong Hang Seng bucked the gloom by rising 0.6 per cent
Oil remained a little lower than it had spent much of the week, with Brent crude at a little above $34 a barrel in London. Gold hit a new three-month high before the jobs report, at $1,161, but then fell back to $1,146 before recovering

Global indices were firmer on Thursday after their three-day fall, as the oil price recovers and weaker interest rate rise expectations support confidence in risk assets
The key to the rebound, the FT notes, is a tumble in the dollar. This has come in response to the more dovish rates sentiment and makes the likes of oil less expensive for overseas buyers
The strong dollar, while nominally a symbol of domestic strength, has also been weighing on exports and therefore manufacturers in the US. It's being seen as a net positive that it is finally relenting - and it was tumbling again through the afternoon
Markets remain volatile, however, as fears over the global economy persist. In Europe equity guages bounced up and down as the day went on, with some remaining marginally in the red
In Europe, the FTSE 100 ended up 1.1 per cent as it heads towards the close to 5,899. A rally in China and bargain hunting is helping mining and resource stocks
The rising oil price - Brent crude was above $35 a barrel - was helping oil majors Shell and BP, up 6.1 and 5.6 per cent. Lloyds is another big riser, up 3.4 per cent after it revealed it will cut branches and jobs to slash costs ahead of its privatisation
Sentiment remained quite brittle in the UK, however, after the Bank of England today downgraded its forecasts for growth, wages and inflation over the next three years
Elsewhere in Europe the FTSE Eurofirst-300 finished down 0.15 per cent, while the German Dax has shed 0.4 per cent. The French Cac-40 ended almost flat but a shade in the black
Wall Street was flat early on but moved into positive territory as the buck continued its slide, with the S&P-500 and Dow Jones gaining 0.5 and 0.8 per cent in the second hour after re-opening
An early slide on the back of weaker service sector growth was eventually reversed in the US on Wednesday, amid the oil rally, with the benchmarks adding 0.5 and 1.1 per cent
Overnight in Asia, most indices recorded gains, with the Chinese mainland benchmark, the Shanghai Composite, jumping 1.6 per cent and the Hong Kong rose one per cent. The Japanese Topix continued to slide, down 1.2 per cent
Gold is flying due to the weaker dollar, busting recent resistance levels to $1,158 an ounce

European bourses were still soft on Wednesday, extending a selloff into a third session amid renewed fears over the global economy
There was actually positive data from Japan overnight, showing that its services sector hit a five-month high, while in Europe, Italy and Spain both saw services sector growth continue, albeit at a slightly slower pace
This partially helped to offset negative sentiment from the renewed slump in the oil price and left indices steadier in the morning, but losses extended through the afternoon after a report showed US service sector growth at a two-year low
This has pushed back even further expectations of a second Fed rates rise, sent the dollar sharply lower and hit appetite for risk assets. In the US, early equity gains turned into a decent-sized loss in mid-morning trading
Back at home, the FTSE 100 finished down 1.4 per cent to 5,837. Banks led the losers, with Barclays, HSBC and Royal Bank of Scotland and HSBC down 4.7, 3.9 and 3.2 per cent respectively
Elsewhere in Europe, the German Dax fiished down 1.5 per cent, the French Cac-40 1.3 per cent and the wider FTSE Eurofirst-300 1.6 per cent
On Wall Street the S&P-500 and Dow Jones were down 1.4 per cent and 0.7 per cent in mid-morning after re-opening on Wednesday. They had followed Europe into a sizeable loss on Tuesday, with the two losing 1.9 and 1.8 per cent respectively
Overnight in Asia, Japanese markets continued their selloff following a recent rally, with the Topix shedding more than three per cent. The Hong Kong Hang Seng dropped 2.3 per cent, while the mainland's Shanghai Composite fell 0.4 per cent
Oil is lower than it has been but was more solid at a little above $33 a barrel in London. The gold price was surging again at $1,138 an ounce

European shares continued a downward move following modest losses on Monday, as fears over the global economy return to the fore amid weak manufacturing data and the falling oil price
Chinese manufacturing data yesterday showed a sixth consecutive month of decline in activity, while the FT notes factories in the US continue to struggle as the global economy apparently falters
Oil is falling as its recent rally comes to an end, dipping back below $33 in London. While low fuel prices benefit consumers, the low crude oil price is seen as indicative of weak international demand and is hitting investment and jobs
The FTSE 100 finished down 2.3 per cent to 5,930, even despite slightly more encouraging signs for the industrials sector after manufacturing activity at home hit a three-month high last month
Among the leading fallers was BP, down 8.7 per cent. On Tuesday morning it revealed a shock fall into a multi-billion pound loss in the fourth quarter of 2015, which will lead to further cutbacks
Among a very few risers was Sainsbury's, up 2.4 per cent after it confirmed an agreement to buy Argos owner Home Retail Group for £1.3bn. Sentiment was helped by a price tag that is seen as not being excessive
Elsewhere in Europe, the German Dax ended down 1.8 per cent, the French Cac-40 2.4 per cent and the FTSE Eurofirst-300 two per cent
Only Chinese mainland shares escaped a broad selloff across Asia. The Japanese Topix ended down 0.7 per cent, while the Hong Kong Hang Seng fell 0.8 per cent
Wall Street had recovered after an early selloff in its Monday session after strong results from Google parent Alphabet, with the S&P-500 and the Dow Jones both only shading into negative territory by the close
But in the wake of the weak manufacturing data - as well as figures showing that consumer spending had flattened out in December - the benchmarks rejoined the slide after re-opening Tuesday afternoon, down 1.5 and 1.4 per cent
Continuing economic and markets travails sent gold to a three-month high yesterday. It wa at $1,027 an ounce in London

European stocks were softer on Monday, as weak economic data out of China put a halt on a risk-on rally that had sent stocks surging at the end of last week
The FTSE-100 gathered momentum into the close on Friday and eventually closed as much as 2.7 per cent up. It managed to hold above thre psychologically important 6,000 level at the beginning of the new week, despite being in retreat
China's manufacturing index dipped a little to 49.4 in January - where a score of 50 or above indicates expansion - meaning it has remained in negative territory for six months
The FTSE-100 ended down 0.4 per cent to 6,060. Among a broad base of top fallers was BP, which finished down 2.4 per cent amid reports that its latest results will see its profits fall 70 per cent
On the risers list, travel firms International Consolidated Airlines Group, owner of British Airways, and EasyJet were up 2.9 and 23.4 per cent respectively
Elsewhere in Europe the German Dax finished down 0.4 per cent, the French Cac-40 ended 0.6 per cent lower, while the FTSE Eurofirst-300 shed 0.3 per cent
The weak Chinese data left indices on the mainland and Hong Kong lower. The Shanghai Composite lost 1.8 per cent, while the Hang Seng dipped by a more modest 0.5 per cent
The Japanese Topix continued its bounce away from a recent one-year low in the wake of the Bank of Japan's negative interest rate move, gaining more than 2.1 per cent
Wall Street had joined in the risk rally last week, with both the Dow Jones and S&P-500 gaining around 2.5 per cent in their Friday trading sessions
Both of the main US indices gave up some of these gains after re-opening this afternoon, shedding 0.7 and 0.6 per cent
Gold is gaining in the wake of the latest worries over the Chinese - and world - economy, rising above $1,126
Oil is dipping from a high close to $36 as hopes of a supply cut deal fade. Brent crude is a little below $35 in London

European indices are rallying on Friday, following a strong upward turn in Asia overnight after the Bank of Japan shocked markets by introducing negative interest rates
The central bank, having earlier dismissed such a course, has brought out the big guns to stimulate lending by effectively bringing in a charge for lenders to hold excess funds
Investors have been crying out for policy action amid declining fortunes for the Japanese economy and they bought into risk assets on the back of the announcement. The Topix surged 2.9 per cent
Other Asian indices also rose, with the Shanghai Composite and Hang Seng jumping 3.1 and 2.5 per cent respectively
Oil is also helping sentiment, as the admission from Russia that it has had a proposal from Opec that could lead to co-ordinated production cuts has pushed Brent crude above $34 a barrel
The FTSE-100 is 1.7 per cent up to 6,030, ending the week strongly and likely to finish above the important 6,000 threshold for the first time since the first week of January
Among the risers, Barclays has rallied 2.7 per cent despite news that it is being sued for at least £700m
Elsewhere Sky is up 1.9 per cent after it re-appointed James Murdoch as chairman, rekindling buyout rumours
Across the continent the German Dax is up 1.1 per cent, the French Cac-40 by 1.5 per cent and the wider FTSE Eurofirst-300 by 1.7 per cent
Markets recovered after an early fall on Wall Street on Thursday, with the S&P-500 and Dow Jones eventually ending higher by 0.5 and 0.8 per cent after the Fed's latest dovish message
They've re-opened in markedly positive mood on Friday afternoon, jumping 1.1 and 1.2 per cent respectively as they also seek to end the week on a high
Gold has remained resilient in the face of the stock market improvement. The spot price is steady at around $1,117 in London

Main bourses in Europe endured a mixed Thursday, as traders digested a finely balanced policy statement from the Federal Reserve overnight
The Fed said that it was monitoring risks to the global economy that might affect its own inflation and labour market projections, which leaves a previously-expected March rates rise in doubt
Oil is helping sentiment, as it rallied again overnight and went on to rise above $34 a barrel. A meeting of Russian oil execs and government officials that ended in hints of rapprochement with Saudi Arabia is buoying hopes of supply cuts
The FTSE-100 was down and up variously throughout the day, but finally it settled on a negative trend to the end the day as it followed a downward turn on Wall Street
The UK's benchmark ended one per cent lower to 5,932 having earlier been back above the psychologically important 6,000 level. This was despite relatively solid 0.5 per cent GDP growth for Q4 that was reported this morning
Travel firms struggled, with British Airways owner IAG shedding 4.9 per cent and Thomson owner TUI losing around 3.5 per cent
In terms of risers the miners are leading the way, but also doing well was oil major Shell. It closed up two per cent after shareholders gave backing for a controversial $50bn buyout of rival BG Group yesterday
The German Dax finished down 2.4 per cent, the French Cac-40 1.3 per cent lower and the FTSE Eurofirst-300 by around 1.7 per cent
Wall Street traders were, in the words of one analyst in the FT, "sulking" after the Fed's not-dovish-enough message. After a strongly positive open the S&P-500 and Dow Jones were virtually flat and heading south
Overnight in Asia the Hong Kong Hang Seng jumped 0.8 per cent. Elsewhere there were hefty drops, with the Japanese Topix ending down 0.8 per cent and the Shanghai Composite in China losing 2.9 per cent
Ahead of the Fed meeting traders had moved out of risk assets on Wall Street on Wednesday. The S&P-500 and the Dow Jones lost 1.4 per cent and 1.1 per cent respectively
Gold is virtually unchanged after the Fed's mixed message. It was at $1,116 in London

European stocks were firmer but mixed on Wednesday, but a late rally helped all of the main bourses in the black
Oil prices have remained steady even despite predictions that inventory data from the US energy watchdog could show a huge increase in reserves last week. Brent held above $31 a barrel
The data will be released later on after European trading has concluded. Also during the US session, the Federal Reserve was due to issue its latest statement on interest rates
It was always likely that trading would remain calmer on Wednesday in anticipation of both of these key publications
The FTSE-100 ended up 1.3 per cent to 5,990. Leading the way was software company Sage Group, after it reported strong growth for the three months to December. It ended up 7.5 per cent higher
Dixons Carphone was also upstrongly by 3.2 per cent. It bounced back from a dip on Tuesday that came despite strong results and warmly-received plans to create more three-in-one megastores
Near the top of the fallers list, Royal Bank of Scotland is down two per cent after its latest results revealed more than £4bn in fresh charges. They had slumped five per cent initially
Elsewhere in Europe, the German Dax and the French Cac-40 are down 0.6 and 0.5 per cent respectively. The FTSE Eurofirst-300 is down 0.4 per cent
Asian shares were broadly positive overnight, with the Hong Kong Hang Seng up one per cent and the Japanese Topix rose a remarkable three per cent. The Shanghai Composite fell 0.5 per cent
Wall Street rose steadily, with the S&P-500 and Dow Jones up 1.4 and 1.8 per cent
The benchmarks opened 0.8 and one per cent after re-opening on Wednesday, after weak results for Apple and ahead of the latest rates rise projections from the Fed
Gold remains high but largely unmoved from yesterday as it falls from overnight highs. It's at $1,118 an ounce in London

European markets fell sharply early on, following a steep fall on Asian indices overnight as the oil oil price fell again and Brent crude dipped below $30 a barrel
Oil has been tightly correlated with equities in recent weeks as it is taken as indicative of global demand at a time when Chinese growth is slowing
Fears over China were stoked by data showing rail freight volumes fell by more than 10 per cent
The reaction to this odd metric shows both that investors are extremely nervous at the moment - and also attests to a lack of trust in the official figures that show a slow, managed slowdown
Capping off the poor figures and adding to investor skittishness the Chinese benchmark, the Shanghai Composite, slumped six per cent overnight to a 13-month low
But global markets turned positive as the day wore on, as oil continued its recent volatility and rebounded up from $30. Brent was last at above $31.50 in London
In Europe the FTSE-100 closed up 0.6 per cent to 5,911. Energy and mining stocks were at the top of the risers list, carrying on a recent up and down trend. Miner Anglo American surged 11.8 per cent
Tesco rose three per cent after it escaped a fine over its supplier payment practices, while Lloyds rallied 2.5 per cent
The German Dax and French Cac-40 ended up 0.9 and 1.1 per cent respectively, while the FTSE Eurofirst-300 was 1.1 per cent higher
Elsewhere in Asia, the Hang Seng lost 2.5 per cent overnight, while the Japanese Topix lost 2.3 per cent
Wall Street had finished markedly lower on Monday, with the S&P-500 and the Dow Jones shedding 1.6 and 1.3 per cent respectively
Both benchmarks were rallying strongly shortly after re-opening on Tuesday afternoon, up one per cent and 1.6 per cent
One asset that is benefitting from the ongoing market mayhem is gold, which has broken through the $1,100 that had acted as an effective ceiling. It's at $1,119 in London

European markets initially jumped again on Monday morning, maintaining momentum from a strong rally on Friday, but it did not take long for them to give up gains as a rally from last week petered out
Rising oil prices had been a key driver of the upwards move and a push towards $32 a barrel had carried Asian shares higher overnight. But Brent crude turned negative again and tumbled to $31
The FTSE-100 closed down 0.5 per cent to 5,877, with resources and energy stocks initially leading the downward charge
Banks moved to the top of the fallers list as the day has gone on, however, after a report indicated they are likely to face more costs relating to PPI and Lloyds, regarded the best prospect in the sector, was downgraded
Lloyds finished down 5.6 per cent, while Barclays fell 4.7 per cent, Royal Bank of Scotland lost 4.1 per cent and HSBC shed 1.3 per cent
Tesco also ended down, by three per cent, as reports indicated it could face a fine of £500m relating to its accounting scandal that emerged in late 2014
The German Dax closed down 0.3 per cent and French Cac-40 by 0.6 per cent. The wider FTSE Eurofirst-300 ended down a little more than 0.7 per cent
Wall Street also opened down on Monday afternoon, with the S&P-500 and Dow Jones falling by 0.5 and 0.4 per cent respectively
The benchmarks had closed well up on Friday, with the S&P-500 and Dow Jones gaining two per cent and 1.3 per cent
In Asia overnight there were broad-based rises, with the Shanghai Composite closing up 0.8 per cent, the Hong Kong Hang Seng rose 1.4 per cent, and the Japanese Topix up 1.3 per cent
The gold price remained at the top end of its recent range, at $1,106 an ounce

European bourses are rallying strongly on Friday, adding to solid gains made on Thursday as global markets re-emerge from the bear market territory they had fallen into earlier this week
A rise in the oil price above $31 a barrel, coupled with strong hints from the European Central Bank that more monetary stimulus may be forthcoming, has encouraged investors to buy back into risk assets
The FTSE-100 is 2.6 per cent higher to 5,921. Shell, which slumped earlier this week, is up 6.5 per cent, while it takeover target BG Group is up by six per cent
The FTSE's story is indicative of what has been a wild week for markets. After a rout on Wednesday the index fell to its lowest level for more than three years, but it is now above where it started on Monday and closing in on the important 6,000 threshold
The German Dax is up 2.6 per cent, the French Cac-40 by an impressive 3.9 per cent and the FTSE Eurofirst-300 by 3.6 per cent
Wall Street's key benchmarks have joined in the rally after reopening this afternoon, with the S&P-500 and Dow Jones jumping by 1.9 and 1.5 per cent
They had also rallied on Thursday, but not with as much enthusiasm as was seen in Europe. The S&P-500 and Dow Jones rose 0.5 and 0.7 per cent
In Asia overnight there were strong rallies from bear market lows, with the Japanese Topix rebounding by a massive 5.6 per cent. The Hong Kong Hang Seng rose 2.9 per cent
Brent crude is back above $31 a barrel, but with Saudi Arabia having indicated it is not minded to soften production it is very likely oversupply concerns will cause this to fall back again before too long
Gold is relatively unmoved as traders wait to see if the risk rally will hold. It's at $1,100 an ounce

European bourses rebounded after taking a drubbing on Wednesday, despite another steep fall in Asia overnight that reflected investor concern over oil prices and global growth
Japense stocks entered bear market territory after a firmer opening gave way. The Nikkei shed 2.4 per cent and it is now down 23 per cent from its peak in June 2015
Gains had been modest and fragile earlier on, but the move higher gained momentum this afternoon after the European Central Bank president Mario Draghi hinted it may unleash more stimulus at its March meeting
The global rout, which has led to the worst opening to a new year ever, reflects ultra-bearish investor sentiment - and fears that central banks will no longer step in to hold markets up
But it has also come despite some encouraging signs on the underling economy. In the UK, for example, unemployment hit a new 10-year low in the three months to November
The FTSE-100 followed up its 3.5 per cent slump on Wednesday with a rise of 1.8 per cent to 5,774. Leading the market higher is Pearson with a gain of more than 17 per cent
The education publisher's investors have welcomed news of a restructuring, even in spite of the admission that profits and dividends could fall
Other European markets also ended up. The German Dax rose 1.8 per cent, the French Cac-40 two per cent, and the FTSE Eurofirst-300 2.1 per cent
Wall Street had settled a little on Wednesday, with the S&P-500 paring early gains in excess of 3.7 per cent to end 1.2 per cent lower
Shortly after reopening on Thursday afternoon, the two benchmarks are following European markets higher and have gained 0.3 and 0.8 per cent
In China, where slowing growth is driving global concern, stock markets shrugged off another injection of stimulus to fall markedly overnight. The Shanghai Composite fell 3.2 per cent, while the Hong Kong Hang Seng dropped 1.8 per cent
The price is higher amid equities turmoil, but a ceiling around $1,100 an ounce is still holding firm at it is at $1,093 in London this afternoon

Global markets turned sharply negative again on Wednesday after a brief recovery, after the latest relief rally in the oil price gave way
Brent crude had at one point touched above $30 a barrel on Tuesday, but it has crashed back again and is now just half a dollar or so above Monday's 12-year trough below $28
The FT notes that in as much as this is reflective of, among other things, concerns over global demand in the wake of weaker growth in China, it is driving an overall bearish trend. Other commodites are following suit
The FTSE-100 finished down 3.5 per cent to 5,674 in early trading, feeding off of a substantial selloff in Asia overnight
Leading the fallers are miners and energy stocks. Shell is down 6.7 per cent after it confirmed in a trading update that fourth quarter profits could drop as much as 50 per cent amid the oil slump
Elsewhere the German Dax closed down 2.8 per cent, the French Cac-40 by 3.5 per cent and the FTSE Eurofirst-300 by 3.3 per cent
In Asia overnight the Chinese Shanghai Composite lost one per cent, while the Hong Kong Hang Seng shed 3.8 per cent. The Japanese Topix fell 3.7 per cent to level not seen since November 2014
On Wall Street, an early steady rise was pared through the afternoon on Tuesdayand the S&P-500 and Dow Jones closed up just 0.1 and 0.2 per cent
US markets joined into the sell-off again after reopening on Wednesday afternoon, with both bursing early losses of around two per cent
As you might expect when equities are under pressure, gold is markedly higher. It's still trading within its recent range, but is up handily at $1,101 an ounce

European markets were up strongly on Tuesday, feeding off a more positive close in Asia overnight in the wake of Chinese growth figures that have eased fears over a 'hard landing' for its economy
Growth in the quarter ending in December was clocked at 6.8 per cent, putting expansion for the past year at 6.9 per cent
This is the lowest figure since 1990, but the fact that growth was slowing as the country moves to a more demand-led economy was already well understood and most had feared the number would be far worse
The FTSE-100 jumped 1.7 per cent to 5,877 by the close. As is usual when Chinese concerns subside, miners are doing well, with Glencore, Anglo American and BHP Billiton all up strongly
Also doing well is Prudential, which is up 3.4 per cent after it announced the appointment of a new boss for its UK business
Elsewhere in Europe the German Dax is up 1.5 per cent and French Cac-40 by two per cent. The wider FTSE Eurofirst-300 is advancing 1.4 per cent
Wall Street has joined in the rally this afternoon, buoyed by positive results for Bank of America and Morgan Stanley. The S&P-500 was up 0.8 per cent in early trading, while the Dow Jones had advanced by one per cent
In China overnight the Shanghai Composite surged 3.5 per cent, while the Hong Kong Hang Seng jumped 2.1 per cent. In Japan,the Topix increased 0.2 per cent, as concerns over the domestic economy held back gains
Helping sentiment was a slight recovery in oil, which touched above $30 earlier as the end of uncertainty over Iran prompts a modest rally. Sentiment remains weak, however, and the price is heading back towards $29
The gold price is relatively unchanged despite the steadier equities picture, down around $5 at $1,086 an ounce

European markets started higher on Monday morning, as traders looked for positives after one of the worst ever starts to a new year in history
Indices were feeding off a positive end to the session in New York on Friday, where the S&P-500 and Dow Jones closed down significantly more than two per cent but were well off lows they had ploughed earlier in the session
There is also some economic positivity in the UK in particular, where the Ernst and Young Item Club has predicted growth will surge this year despite global turmoil on the back of increased consumer spending
But bourses moved into the red as the day wore on after the latest oil slump, as Iran prepares to re-emerge from behind international sanctions. International benchmark Brent crude tumbled to less than $28 a barrel overnight
A slight recovery in oil through the day to close to close to $29 has helped to moderate losses on markets, which are worried that weak oil reflect a worsening picture for global growth
The FTSE-100 closed down 0.4 per cent to 5,778. Sports Direct continued its dire recent run, leading the fallers with a loss of 4.7 per cent. Tesco and Sainsbury's were also down around 1.8 per cent after their recent improvement
Elsewhere in Europe the German Dax finished down 0.3 per cent, while the French Cac-40 was down 0.5 per cent. The wider FTSE Eurofirst-300 also ended 0.3 per cent lower
Most Asian markets closed lower overnight, although the falls were less precipitous than in recent sessions. The Hong Kong Hang Seng was down 1.5 per cent, while the Japanese Topix was around one per cent lower and at a one-year nadir
US markets are closed today for the Martin Luther King holiday, which may keep wider trading relatively subdued
The gold price is still holding in a range a little below $1,100 an ounce amid the wider volatility but is below recent highs. It's at $1,089 in London

Markets were being influenced on Friday by the same combination of weakness in China and sliding oil that has defined the trading trend since the beginning of the year
In China, despite the renminbi reference rate being kept steady for a sixth consecutive day the Shanghai Composite fell 3.5 per cent overnight
This reflected data showing falling lending to consumers but sharply rising debt levels, suggesting a potential dearth of demand to come and adding to bearish sentiment
Brent crude oil was sliding again and rfell back below $30 a barrel after a brief relief rally ran out of steam. In as much as this is seen as indicative in part of weak demand is has come to be seen as negative by markets more generally
This had been pushing European stocks lower - and the sell-off intensified as Wall Street joined the down trend later in the afteroon following a series of weak economic data
US consumers spent less in December, an east coast manufacturing survey continued to point to falling production and industrial productivity continued to underwhelm
The FTSE-100 closed down 1.9 per cent to 5,804. It was the usual picture on a day when Chinese demand dominates sentiment, with miners featuring high in the top fallers list
Anglo American, which unexpectedly surged yesterday, is down down 11.5 per cent. Antofagasta, BHP Billiton, Glencore and Rio Tinto are also all down between five and seven per cent
The German Dax and French Cac-40 are down 2.5 and 2.4 per cent, while the wider FTSE Eurofirst-300 is down 2.8 per cent
On Wall Street, the weak data coupled with poor results for Intel and Citigroup sent the S&P-500 and Dow Jones down 2.4 and 2.2 per cent in early Friday trading
Both therefore gave up all and more of the gains they made on Thursday, when they closed up 1.7 and 1.4 per cent
Wider Asian markets followed Shanghai lower overnight, with the Hong Kong Hang Seng down 1.5 per cent and the Japanese Topix down 0.3 per cent
The gold price is back into a slightly lower range than it has been for much of the past two weeks as equities in the US and Europe steady. But todays selling has given it a slight lift to $1,087 an ounce

European markets opened sharply lower on Thursday morning, taking a lead from a bout of heavy selling that took hold on Wall Street in the afternoon on Wednesday and continued in Asia overnight
The sell-off deepend as the day rolled on and the FTSE-100 was at its lowest level for three years at one point, but there was some paring of losses in the latter stages of trading amid a rally on Wall Street
The Dow Jones has turned around earlier losses to surge 1.4 per cent in early trading, while the S&P-500 was up 1.3 per cent. Energy stocks were leading the way as the oil price steadies
International benchmark Brent crude had dipped below $30 a barrel yesterday, but was back at $30.77 in late afternoon in London. US benchmark West Texas Intermediate had improved to $31.42
This still means oil is at very low levels and it is highly likely, based on recent volatile trends, that this will prove little more than a 'relief rally'
The FTSE-100 eventually dipped towards the close and finished down 0.7 per cent to 5,918, having been far in excess of one per cent down in mid afternoon
Miners Anglo American and Glencore surged with rises of 14 and nine per cent. Tesco was also up six per cent after it today revealed that sales fell in the final three months of 2015 but rose significantly over the critical Christmas period
Elsewhere in Europe the German Dax ended down 1.7 per cent, the French Cac-40 by 1.8 per cent and the FTSE Eurofirst-300 by 1.5 per cent
A late selloff on Wall Street saw the S&P-500 close down 2.5 per cent on Wednesday, while the Dow Jones ended 2.2 per cent lower
Asian markets ended mostly lower overnight. The Hong Kong Hang Seng fell 0.6 per cent, while the Japanese Topix fell by a hefty 2.6 per cent
As is often the case, the mainland China benchmark, the Shanghai Composite, moved in the opposite direction to maintain its extremely volatile (and so-far ultimately negative) start to the year. It ended up nearly two per cent
As equities fell again, the gold price saw a corresponding rise to end two days of decline. But it is range bound and falling again as equities rally, down to $1,081

The FTSE-100 built on a solid upward move on Tuesday and rallying again on Wednesday, after a rare bout of positive data from China boosted sentiment on global growth
Exports unexpectedly rose by 2.3 per cent, while imports fell less than had been anticipated. Question marks over an anomalous surge in exports to Hong Kong have not undermined the warm reception to the figures
Despite this the benchmark Shanghai Composite fell 2.4 per cent. The index is subject to a range of controls and can often be volatile and run counter to wider trends
Overnight was no exception, as its sharp fall came amid a wider increase for markets across Asia. The Hong Kong Hang Seng rose 1.1 per cent, while the Japanese Topix rose 2.9 per cent
Back on the FTSE, by the close the index was up 0.5 per cent to 5,961. This was a steady rise, but the advance lost some of its momentum as the afternoon wore on and it finished off a peak above 6,000
Miners moved positively, as you would expect whenever there is positive mood on China, with Anglo American, Rio Tinto, BHP Billiton and Glencore all in the top risers list
BP is leading the way with a rise of close to four per cent, while Shell and BG were also on the up as oil recovered slightly from its latest slump. Brent crude had risen to $31.50 a barrel
But a dip later in the afternoon pushed oil back towards $30 - and precipitated the bearish sentiment shift on equity markets
Other European bourses have been volatile and also lost ground late on, with the German Dax giving up earlier gains of more than one per cent to finish with a 0.3 loss. The French Cac-40 closed up 0.3 per cent and the FTSE Eurofist-300 was up 0.4 per cent
Wall Street held on to gains for a second consecutive session on Tuesday, with the S&P-500 and Dow Jones up 0.8 and 0.7 per cent respectively
After a positive opening the two benchmarks have moved modestly into the red early on Wednesday
Gold had been sliding somewhat, but is gaining again this afternoon as equities come off highs. The spot price for the metal was heading back towards $1,080 an ounce this morning, but was above $1,090 on Wednesday afternoon

European equities strengthened on Tuesday, building on positivity on Chinese markets overnight
The mainland China benchmark, the Shanghai Composite, gained 0.2 per cent after Beijing took further steps to support the yuan. The index is still down 14 per cent this year
Oil is also driving markets higher, with the international benchmark Brent crude recovering to $31.50 after dipping close to $30 overnight
This is clearly still very low - and it is unlikely the market has reached a bottom
Overall the FTSE-100 closed up one per cent at 5,929, as investors buy into one of the few rallies to have maintained a degree of momentum this year so far
Leading the advance was Tesco, which surged 6.7 per cent as investors sensed Christmas results may be more positive than expected. Sainsbury's was also up 3.3 per cent
This follows unexpectedly strong results for Morrisons, which surged 12 per cent on Tuesday morning and finished 8.7 per cent higher after recording a like-for-like festive sales rise
Elsewhere the German Dax was up 1.6 per cent, while the French Cac-40 is up 1.5 per cent. The wider FTSE Eurofirst-300 is advancing 1.1 per cent
Asian markets were mostly in the red overnight, with the Shanghai Composite the only bourse in the black. The Japanese Topix slumped more than three per cent
Wall Street managed to hold marginal gains yesterday in another choppy trading session, with the S&P-500 and Dow Jones gaining 0.1 and 0.3 per cent
Stocks remained firmer early on Tuesday after turning around earlier futures losses, with the key benchmarks up 0.8 and 0.5 per cent respectively
The gold price lost some ground on Monday in New York amid the steadier equities picture and it is falling again amid the equities rally, falling $10 to $1,086 an ounce

European markets were higher at the start of the second trading week of the new year, but struggled to break free of their shackles amid an uncertain global economic climate
Last week the FTSE-100 suffered its worst week since August amid a rout on Chinese markets
The mainland China benchmark in Shanghai dropped sharply again overnight, shedding 5.3 per cent by the close after latest inflation figures showed 'factory-gate' prices falling for the 46th consecutive month
In Europe all indices moved back into the black within the first hour of trading - but after a volatile session gains were eroded throughout the afternoon
In the UK the FTSE-100, however, closed marginally down by 0.7 per cent. Dragging the index lower was Sports Direct, which shed another seven per cent on top of the 15 per cent slump on Friday in the wake of a profit warning
Another big loser was drug maker Shire, which lost 8.2 per cent after it confirmed it would acquire US rival Baxalta for what some perceive to be a premium price of $32bn
A survey from BDO says British consumers are enjoying their best start to the year since the financial crisis amid falling prices and improved wage rises. Spending over Christmas also apparently rose, though less was spent on the high street
Elsewhere in Europe the German Dax finished down 0.3 per cent, the French Cac-40 0.5 per cent and the FTSE Eurofirst-300 0.4 per cent
All Asian markets followed Shanghai lower overnight, with the Hong Kong Hang Seng losing 2.8 per cent. The Japanese Topix lost a little more than 0.7 per cent
Wall Street ended a difficult week lower last week, with the S&P-500 and Dow Jones losing 1.1 and one per cent respectively. Losses were less than in Europe generally after more evidence emerged of a strong US labour market
Having been set for big gains when they reopened for the first session of the weekon Monday afternoon, the two benchmarks have lost steam and around an hour after the open were up around 0.2 per cent
Brent crude slumped again overnight after a brief relief rally foundered. It was languishing around $32.50 a barrel, very close to its recent near 12-year low above $32
Gold continues to benefit from a safe haven bounce, but it is hitting a 'ceiling' a little above $1,100 and has fallen a little below that threshold to $1,098 amid the steadier equities picture

Risk appetite returned to European markets on Friday morning, after Chinese investors recovered some poise and traded stocks higher overnight
Authorities in China allowed the recently heavily depreciated yuan to gain ground, while the removal of a circuit breaker mechanism that has suspended trading twice this week also precluded panic selling
On Thursday the market plunged seven per cent in less than 30 minutes as traders sought to avoid being caught in negative positions. The benchmark Shanghai Composite rose two per cent overnight
But the early enthusiasm has petered out at the end of what have been a difficult week for equities around the world. All European markets moved in the red into the final hour and the selloff only gathered momentum
The FTSE-100 ended 0.7 per cent lower, meaning it dipped back below 6,000. It is dragged lower by a big dive of around 15 per cent for Sports Direct after it issued a shock profit warning
Leading the list of risers for the day was Tesco, after Barclays became the second analyst in a week to upgrade its rating to a 'buy' in the wake of its recent slump and in anticipation of improved margins
Other European exchanges fell more markedly, with the German Dax down 1.3 per cent, the French Cac-40 1.6 per cent and the wider FTSE Eurofirst-300 1.5 per cen
Wall Street saw steep losses overnight as its fall from grace continued. The S&P-500 and the Dow Jones finished 2.4 and 2.3 per cent lower respectively
A stellar jobs report on Friday afternoon that lifted the mood on the economy pushed the benchmarks higher shortly after re-opening, by 0.4 and 0.2 per cent
These rises are well below the levels that had been indicated by futures. The positive mood is being tempered by underlying factors such as the dip in wage rises
In Asia the Hong Kong Hang Seng followed Shanghai higher and rose 0.6 per cent, while the Japanese Topix continued its poor run and lost 0.7 per cent
Oil has rebounded a little from its latest crash, but at $33.50 a barrel Brent crude is losing ground again and is still very low
Gold is volatile as an earlier move back into risk undermined its 'safe haven' bounce, but the waning confidence is bringing investors back into the fold. It is firm at a little more than $1,100 an ounce

European bourses tumbled on Thursday, as a repeat of Monday saw a roughly seven per cent fall on Chinese markets overnight that prompted trading to be suspended and has spread fear across global equity markets
China's investors were rattled by the continued and steep depreciation in the yuan, which is adding to fears over a slowdown in growth that has been triggered by weak readings in the manufacutring and services sectors
Trading in Shanghai was suspended after just 29 minutes when its automatic 'circuit breaker' was triggered. The market can be very volatile as it is heavily controlled - and authorities may yet introduce more measures to shore up stocks
The FTSE closed down two per cent and yes, you guessed it, miners with heavy assumed exposure to China are leading the fall. Anglo American finished some 11 per cent lower
The wider index was, however, off earlier lows close to three per cent
Resources stocks were also hit by ongoing weakness in commodity prices, not least oil which hit yet another 11-year low at close to $32 a barrel yesterday after a big US inventory build sparked renewed concern over a supply glut
Elsewhere in Europe the German Dax closed down 2.3 per cent, while the French Cac-40 lost 1.7 per cent and the wider FTSE Eurofirst-300 also shed 2.3 per cent. Again, these figures were above earlier troughs
Wall Street had closed lower again on Wednesday, with the S&P-500 finishing 1.3 per cent down and the Dow Jones losing close to 1.5 per cent
It joined the selloff on Thursday, with the main indices sitting 1.3 and 0.8 per cent lower shortly after the open. Losses were being tempered by positive economic signals after another strong jobs survey
Shanghai's precipitous drop triggered wider falls in Asia overnight, with the Hong Kong Hang Seng losing 3.1 per cent and the Japanese Topix shedding 2.1 per cent
The wider uncertainty has prompted a strong safe haven bounce in the gold price, which is nudging a point of resistance a little bit above $1,100 an ounce

European markets were down on Wednesday amid what is proving to be a volatile and overall negative week, as another batch of weak Chinese data and a nuclear announcement by North Korea rattled investors
In China new statistics showed the services sector effectively ground to a halt in December, adding to growth worries after data earlier this week showed manufacturing activity remains in contraction
Despite this the Chinese benchmark the Shanghai Composite rose 2.3 per cent, although the market is currently being propped up by a ban on larger investors selling offloading stocks
In North Korea an official news agency announced the country has successfully detonated its first hydrogen bomb. The FT says this would normally be shrugged off by global markets, but that it is exacerbating underlying skittishness
After the worst opening session to a year in 16 years on Monday and an up and down day on Tuesday that ended in an eventual rise, the FTSE-100 closed down one per cent to 6,073. This is higher than earlier losses near two per cent
As is usual when the Chinese economy is seen to falter, miners are leading the UK benchmark lower. BHP Billiton, Rio Tinto Anglo American and Glencore were among the top fallers on the FTSE
Tesco shares also fell two per cent, after a strong rally on Tuesday following a rating improvement has proved to be short lived
Elsewhere in Europe the German Dax and French Cac-40 are down 0.9 and 1.3 per cent, while the pan-European FTSE Eurofirst-300 is also down by around 1.3 per cent
Wall Street also endured a volatile session on Tuesday, as ealier sizeable losses were eventually turned into a modest increase for the day of 0.2 per cent for the S&P-500 and 0.1 per cent for the Dow Jones
The market has opened lower on Wednesday, with the benchmarks down 1.2 and 1.1 per cent respectively
In Asia the rise for the Shanghai index was not replicated on a wider basis, with the Hong Kong Hang Seng and the Japanese Topix both shedding around one per cent
Oil has hit another 11-year low after its rise earlier in the week, as the Saudis discount prices to undercut regional rivals and undermine hopes of a concerted effort by Opec to support higher prices
In fact, the global benchmark, Brent, fell below $35 a barrel for the first time since 2004 this afternoon
Gold is rising amid the wider nervous atmosphere as its safe haven status is bolstered afresh, with the spot price rising to above $1,087 an ounce in London

European indices were mixed on Tuesday after a terrible opening session to the week (and 2016), with composure having returned to Asian markets overnight
While the Shanghai Composite ended lower, it eventually limited losses to just 0.3 per cent after opening three per cent down - and having been suspended after a seven per cent slide on Monday
The Hong Kong Hang Seng also finished lower, by 0.7 per cent, while the Japanese Topix closed 0.3 per cent down
At home, the FTSE-100 eventually regained 0.7 per cent of the 2.4 per cent it lost on Monday - though it was down from a gain of close to one per cent shortly after the open and spent some of the day in the red
Miners such as Anglo American, Glencore and Rio Tinto are up after a dire session to start the week
Among the stocks that held back progress is Next, which reported disappointing Christmas performance that hints at a like-for-like sales fall over the period. It's down 4.6 per cent
Sainsbury's also ended down sharply, by 5.2 per cent, after it revealed it had made a £1bn bid for Argos owner Home Retail Group that was rejected. It could yet make a revised offer
Elsewhere in Europe the German Dax and the French Cac-40 finished up 0.3 per cent, while the pan-European FTSE Eurofirst-300 ended up 0.6 per cent after a volatile trading day
On Wall Street the two main benchmarks followed the wider falling trend on Monday, with the S&P-500 and Dow Jones dropping 1.5 and 1.6 per cent
The two are marginally down early in their morning session on Tuesday, sitting on losses of 0.2 and 0.3 per cent respectively
Gold had surged amid the volatility in the previous session, rising to above $1,082. But it has since fallen back as equity markets have regained poise, falling to $1,077
Oil flattered to deceive again, with Brent crude falling sharply after a four per cent surge towards $39 a barrel amid renewed tension in the Middle East. It's now only just above $36 a barrel in London

European markets plunged as 2016 began very much as 2015 ended, with obsession over Chinese growth driving volatility in resources sectors in particular
The Chinese benchmark, the Shanghai Composite, fell sharply by close to seven per cent during its session before trading was suspended. The trigger had been a survey showing a contraction in manufacturing activity for the tenth consecutive month
This was in turn interpretted as a big negative indicator for resources demand - and in particular for metals. Copper, for example, was off more than two per cent on Monday morning
As a result, miners on the FTSE-100 slumped. Anglo American closed down 7.2 per cent, Glencore 5.8 per cent and Antofagasta five per cent
The UK benchmark finished 2.4 per cent lower to 6,093. South African financial group Old Mutual was also a big faller, down 6.4 per cent, while emerging markets bank Standard Chartered ended down 3.9 per cent
Elsewhere in Europe the German Dax finished down 4.3 per cent andwith its worst one-day performance since August, while the French Cac-40 was 3.3 per cent lower. The wider FTSE Eurofirst-300 ended down 2.5 per cent
Wall Street benchmarks also opened lower in the afternoon, with the S&P-500 losing around two per cent to 2,004 and the Dow Jones down 2.2 per cent, not helped by the latest data showing a weak end to 2015 for the country's struggling manufacturing sector
The Shanghai index fall presaged a wider drop in Asian indices, with the Hong Kong Hang Seng losing 2.7 per cent, while the Japanese Topix lost around 2.4 per cent
Oil had gained a little bit of ground on renewed tension in the Middle East, with Brent crude touching near $38.50 a barrel
The gold price has risen by two per cent on the wider market volatility, rising to $1,082 an ounce

Those markets that are open in Europe are mixed on Christmas Eve - and there is little to get too excited about as trading volumes have slowed to a trickle and meaningful market-moving data is limited
The main driver this morning was a pre-Christmas rally in oil, which had risen by in excess of a dollar per barrel on top of the more modest rise yesterday. An Opec admission that it would lose market share kick-started the move higher, but it was given real momentum by a fall in US reserves reported in new data yesterday
But oil has fallen back again this morning as fundamentals continue to undermine confidence and short-covering dissipates, which has in turn pulled marks lower
On the FTSE-100, oil shares are leading the way in sideways trade, with BP up 1.3 per cent. Overall the index is roughly flat following two strong days, as it heads to its lunchtime close at 6,242.
Elsewhere in Europe the French Cac-40 is down 0.4 per cent. Many markets, including the Dax in Germany, are actually closed altogether today
Yesterday saw Wall Street continue its recent rally, with the Dow Jones adding 1.1 per cent and the S&P-500 adding around 1.2 per cent
Chinese markets diverged overnight again. In Shanghai shares rose 0.6 per cent, while in Hong Kong the Hang Seng was up 0.4 per cent. In the wider Asia-Pacific region the Australian market rose for an seventh consecutive session, by 1.3 per cent
Brent crude has fallen back to around $37 a barrel, just around $1 above its recent 11-year low. US West Texas Intermediate is around 50 cents higher after a more positive report on US reserves
Gold is barely moving in the final sessions before Christmas settling a little below $1,074

Markets in Europe opened higher again on Wednesday, in the last full trading day before the Christmas break in many countries
Bloomberg notes that trading is thinning rapidly as traders take their leave for the festive period, with volumes in London down 40% or more on Tuesday compared to the 2015 average - and only likely to fall further today
Those that are left are in a positive mood, as firmer oil and commodity prices and some encouraging numbers on French economic growth and UK consumer spending feeding the typical seasonal bounce
Wall Street was also being helped by the final data deluge of 2015, which showed in particular that consumer spending, a critical measure being watched by the Fed, rose in November
The FTSE-100 closed 2.8 per cent higher to 6,241. Again miners are leading the way, with Anglo American up 9.7 per cent, Glencore up 9.1 per cent, BHP Billiton up 7.9 per cent and Rio Tinto up 6.4 per cent
Oil groups Shell, BP and BG are also on the up again - and a surprise riser is Tesco, which has been in the doldrums of late but might be expected to gain from an anticipated surge in late Christmas shopping
The FTSE Eurofirst-300 finished up 2.7 per cent, while the German Dax is up 2.3 per cent and the French Cac-40 is up 2.1 per cent
Asian shares finished mostly higher overnight, with the Hong Kong Hang Seng gaining one per cent. In Shanghai, where the market is less open and trends are often contrarian, the market fell 0.5 per cent
Wall Street has been calmer and rising in the past couple of sessions and it also ended higher on Tuesday, with the Dow Jones adding one per cent and the S&P-500 0.9 per cent
Seasonal cheer was back in evidence Wednesday, with the main US benchmarks opening markedly up again. The Dow Jones has made a triple-digit gain in a 0.7 per cent advance, while the S&P-500 has made similar gains
Oil is steadier but remains close to multi-year lows, with the international benchmark, Brent, at closer to $37 after an Opec report signalled its market share might fall. US oil is at a premium to Brent for the first time in five years
Gold is range-bound and drifting a little as the risk-on move builds momentum, falling to a little more than $1,070 an ounce

Europe got off the mark in bullish mood on Tuesday, as oil prices inched away from yet another multi-year low and on the back of rises on both Wall Street on Monday and Asia overnight
But trading has been volatile of late, not helped by thin trading volumes in the lead up to the Christmas break, and gains on the continent were pared through the day
Oil remains low and far from stable - and associated shares that make up a sizeable portion of big indices could swing markets if there is another major move
The FTSE-100 was solidly up and closed 0.8 per cent higher on 6,083. Top risers were miners benefitting from firmer metals prices, with Anglo American up 5.7 per cent, Antofagasta 4.7 per cent, Glencore 3.4 per cent and Rio Tinto 1.9 per cent
Energy firms were also stronger as oil steadied a little above recent lows, with Shell and BP both up 2.9 per cent, and Shell target BG Group up 3.3 per cent
Elsewhere the FTSE Eurofirst-300 was virtually flat by close of trading. The German Dax was down 0.1 per cent, the French Cac-40 up 0.1 per cent. Madrid's Ibex-35 closed up 0.5 per cent after its post-election slump
Wall Street had provided a solid basis for gains, with a good start to the week seeing the dollar inch higher, sovereign debt yields rise and both main equity indices gain more than 0.7 per cent
It opened higher again on Tuesday afternoon as GDP data confirmed steady growth in the US in the third quarter. The Dow Jones and S&P-500 are up 0.2 per cent in the early exchanges
Asia eked out gains overnight, not least driven by the latest pledge by the Japanese government to boost its economy with an increased $800bn of spending next year
The Japanese Topix rose 0.2 per cent. In China the Shanghai Composite rose 0.3 per cent, while the Hong Kong Hang Seng jumped 0.2 per cent
Oil had hit a few cents above $36 a barrel yesterday, but has since edged up a little as the market has settled. Gold is drifting a little amid the bullish equities mood, falling $2 to $1,076 an ounce

After a shaky start inspired by the latest energy price plummet, European shares turned positive on Monday in a holiday-shortened Christmas week
Modest gains were being made until the final hour of trading, when all indices dived following the latest 11-year low for the oil price, which hit resources firms
European markets were also rattled by big gains for leftist parties in Spanish elections, which denied the incumbent administration an outright majority
In Madrid shares fell 3.6 per cent after a late slide, while on a wider scale the results rekindled fears over EU integration and are likely to lead to prolonged uncertainty
The FTSE-100 had been helped by a steadier picture for metals prices that lifted miners Glencore (up 2.7 per cent), Antofagasta (up 2.1 per cent) and Anglo American (up 0.6 per cent)
Another top riser on the UK benchmark index is ITV, which has gained close to three per cent. The Mail on Sunday reckons it could be the subject of a £11bn takeover bid from US giant Comcast
But the drop in oil left energy majors lower, with Shell (down 1.3 per cent), BP (down 1.2 per cent) and BG Group (0.7 per cent) all dragging the market lower
Eventually the FTSE closed 0.3 per cent lower to 6,035
German producer prices hit expectations and were down by slightly less last month than in October, which had helping the Dax to turnaround opening losses to a gain in excess of one per cent
Advances were pared through the afternoon, however, and the index eventually closed one per cent lower
Elsewhere the French Cac-40 closed down 1.3 per cent, while the wider FTSE Eurofirst-300 ended 1.2 per cent lower
Wall Street has joined in the so-called Santa rally, as traders seek to end a year of record uncertainty on a high. The S&P-500 and the Dow Jones were both 0.7 per cent higher early on
Overnight in Asia, Chinese shares did well but Japanese shares continued to struggle after the Bank of Japan's disappointing stimulus package
Stocks in Shaghai rose in aggregate by 1.8 per cent, while the Japanese Topix tumbled 0.4 per cent
Wall Street fell sharply at the end of last week, with the S&P-500's 1.8 per cent fall leaving it marginally lower for 2015. It is in the higher end of its rolling 52-week range, however, and is high compared to its long-term historic levels
Oil hit a new 11-year low around $36 a barrel and shows no sign of recovering significantly any time soon
Gold has recovery somewhat and settled in Asia at $1,070 an ounce

European markets were lower on Friday, as the relief rally in the wake of the Fed decision petered out around the world
In the US the gains made on Wednesday were mostly given back on Thursday, as the S&P-500 dropped 1.5 per cent to back around where it began the week. It started today marginally lower for the year as a whole, but still in the upper end of its rolling 52-week range and at a relative historic high
The Wall Street benchmark fell another 0.9 per cent in early trading in New York on Friday, as the latest leg lower in energy prices bites. Oil fell to another new seven-year low earlier in this session
The falls are also being triggered by a number of other factors, says the FT, with traders citing a tricky quarter-end for futures contracts, for example
Asian markets also fell overnight, as the Bank of Japan followed in the footsteps of the European Central Bank earlier this month and announced a stimulus programme the markets had demanded, but which disappointed in scale
The FTSE-100 was been realtively steady through the day and eventually closed 0.8 per cent lower at 6,052. Retailers Marks and Spencer and Next were among the top fallers
The German Dax and French Cac-40 ended down 1.2 and 1.1 per cent respectively, while the wider FTSE Eurofirst-300 also finished down around 1.1 per cent
In Asia the key index to watch last night was the Topix, which initially rose but eventually ended around 1.8 per cent lower. In Shaghai stocks had closed virtually flat
Gold recovered again in New York to continue a recent trend of volatile and unpredictable moves. It was up around $10 at $1,066 an ounce

Markets surged on Wednesday in the US and Thursday morning in Europe, in the wake of the historic decision by the Federal Reserve to lift rates from near-zero for the first time in seven years
In many ways for traders it was a perfect hike: rates are still low, the Fed's outlook was dovish and cautious (the next rise is not now predicted until June) and obsession over the timing of the first move is over and done
This boosted stocks everywhere - and in Europe the strength of the dollar is adding a cherry on the top of the cake in the form of a perceived boost for exporters
There is still, though, the drag effect of some industrial stocks as commodities prices and in particular oil remain low
And as the afternoon wore on and Wall Street moved slightly lower after its Thursday opening bell, the market enthusiasm seemed to wane amid a focus on a tricky quarter-end
The FTSE-100 held on to a gain of around 0.7 per cent at 6,103. Sainsbury's was again among the top risers with a near-five per cent surge, as its strong performance in industry sales figures this week continues to be well received
Elsewhere the German benchmark, the Dax, closed up around 2.6 per cent, down from an earlier high well above three per cent, while the French Cac-40 and FTSE Eurofirst-300 gained 1.1 and 1.3 per cent respectively
US stocks had similarly turned positive after the Fed announcement and the Dow Jones and S&P-500 ended higher by 1.3 and 1.4 per cent
But in early trading on Thursday both benchmarks turned negative and they were sitting around 0.3 per cent down for the session
Asian markets also seemed pleased with the balance struck by the Fed, with shares in Shanghai gaining 1.8 per cent and the Japanese Topix adding 1.6 per cent
Gold rose after the announcement by around $10, but eventually ceded all of that advance to close back around where it had been yesterday at $1,066 an ounce. It has since slumped to below $1,055
Oil is low and Brent crude is near $37 a barrel. Inventories in the US were reported at a new record capacity yesterday, while the stronger dollar in the wake of the Fed rise is also bringing downward pressure

Equity markets were in "chipper mood" today, says the FT, even as the Federal Reserve was expected to undertake its first interest rise in nearly a decade
Zero interest rates have boosted the attraction of equities relative to fixed income alternatives, but traders are taking heart from the positive sign on the economy and confidence of central bankers
Rises were muted in Europe early on, however, suggesting a degree of caution as trader wait for the detail in the Fed decision on how fast rates will rise. If it were to ultimately backs out of hiking,equities would have been in for a wild ride
The FTSE-100 closed up 0.7 per cent, building on the strong surge it enjoyed on Tuesday. Dixons Carphone was among the strong risers, after reporting profits rose by five per cent
The Cac-40 recorded a more marginal 0.2 per cent gain, as French investors reacted to the latest estimate of output in the services sector which showed a fall in growth to a level that only just qualifies as expansion
The German Dax also ended 0.2 per cent up, despite a contrasting combined manufacturing and services output estimate that suggests growth in the country's private sector is picking up pace
The wider FTSE Eurofirst-300 was up 0.3 per cent
Wall Street benchmarks the Dow Jones and S&P-500 closed 0.9 and 1.1 per cent up overnight, as the positive underlying mood was boosted by a steadying of the oil price after its recent rout
US markets also opened higher in the afternoon, as the positive mood persisted while investors awaited the final Fed verdict
Asian shares broadly rallied strongly after recently weakeness, with the Hang Seng in Hong Kong rising two per cent and the Japanese Topix up 2.5 per cent. In Shanghai, the rise was more modest at 0.2 per cent
Oil has softened as traders expect the dollar to bounce in the wake of the rates move, which will make it more expensive to overseas buyers. Brent crude is now back below $38 a barrel
Gold, on the other hand, has recovered slightly from lows earlier in the week to $1,065. If a rates hike is priced in and the Fed sounds dovish on future rises, the yellow metal might even rise today

European indices recovered strongly on Tuesday, more than eclipsing the falls that saw them land at broad ten-week lows in the first session of the week
The FTSE-100 had hit a three-year nadir on Monday below 5,900, but rallied 2.5 per cent today to 6,018
There are a few reasons for the rebound, chief among which is that the recent selloff has been driven by panic in energy and resource sectors and was therefore probably overdone
The fall in the oil price to post-crisis lows was the main catalyst for the fall yesterday and it is fueling the rise today, with Brent rising back above a still-low $38
Wall Street, which saw a late surge last night as the S&P-500 went from a two-month intraday trough to a 0.5 per cent gain, is also in positive territory. The S&P is 1.1 per cent higher in the first hours of trading
There's a general underlying positive mood on US markets ahead of the Fed's meeting today and tomorrow, at the culmination of which it is expected to lift interest rates
This is a positive symbol for the economy and is widely priced in, but there will be volatility as traders await the tone of the commique for signs of how fast rates will rise
The FTSE-100 was being led by Old Mutual, which continues to recover in a volatile week for South African finance firms. Sainsbury's is also doing well after latest sales stats for the supermarket sector showed it bucking the 'big four' slide again
Elsewhere in Europe the FTSE Eurofirst-300 is up 2.9 per cent, while the French Cac-40 and German Dax are up 3.2 and 3.1 per cent respectively
The overnight Asian session was negative as markets continue to brace for Fed lift-off this week. In Shanghai and Hong Kong the benchmarks were 0.3 and 0.2 per cent low, while the Japanese Topix shed 1.7 per cent
Gold has drifted back towards recent lows ahead of this week's meeting and is at around $1,063 an ounce

The last full trading week in 2015 is 'Fed Week', according to The Guardian. We find out on Wednesday if the US central bank will increase rates for the first time in nearly a decade
Shares in most Asian indices fell, as traders worried about the impact on emerging market indices which have loaded up on cheap dollar-denominated debt. The main Chinese index bucked the pattern, however, and surged on the back of positive manufacturing data
In Europe there was something of a recovery taking place in early trading after the sharp selloff on Friday, with the FTSE-100 rising back above the symbolic 6,000 mark. Some reckon the positive view of the US economy implicit in a raise will buoy global markets
There are still likely to be fluctuations based on commodity prices in the near future, however. In fact, as the day wore on oil fell to a post-crisis low below $37 a barrel and took equity markets with it
Overall the FTSE-100 closed down 1.3 per cent to 5,874. The usual suspects in the commodities sector, including Glencore, Anglo American and BHP Billiton, as well as oil majors Shell and BP, led the fallers
Top riser was Old Mutual, the South African life insurer, which has risen close to 2.6per cent after the country's government got its latest finance minister
Elsewhere in Europe the French Cac-40 closed down 1.7 per cent, the FTSE Eurofirst-300 by 1.8 per cent and the German benchmark, the Dax, by 1.9 per cent
Wall Street had opened marginally higher on the rates-related optimism, but sentiment has since turned sour in the wake of the oil reversal and the Dow Jones and S&P-500 are down 0.3 and 0.4 per cent respectively
In Asia the Japanese Topix shed 1.4 per cent, while the Hong Kong Hang Seng shed 0.7 per cent. But the Shanghai Composite jumped a full 2.5 per cent
Gold is sliding ahead of the Fed meeting but is still rooted within a narrow range above $1,070 an ounce

Friday got off to a negative start, as the latest leg down in the oil price and continued weakness in wider commodities continues to weigh on sentiment
Brent crude closed below $40 a barrel on Thursday and fell below $39 in early afternoon after a bearish report from the International Energy Agency
The FT reported the Bloomberg Commodity index is languishing near a 16-year low, even despite some steadying in metals today
Elsewhere Old Mutual was also still sliding, leading the FTSE-100 fallers with another 11 per cent decline amid ongoing economic travails in South Africa
Overall the UK benchmak tumbled at the end of a difficult week as investors rush to safe havens, closing down 2.2 per cent to 5,953. This was despite a positive report on the UK economy from the IMF
Miners Anglo American, BHP Billiton, Rio Tinto and Glencore were all in the top fallers list. Oil majors were also on the slide, with Shell, BG Group and BP all also featuring
In wider Europe the FTSE Eurofirst-300 finished down 2.1 per cent, while the French Cac-40 ended down 1.8 per cent and the German Dax closed 2.4 per cent lower
Wall Street also opened markedly down on a risk-off afternoon, with the Dow Jones shedding 1.1 per cent and the S&P-500 down one per cent
Continued currency depreciation in China is not helping its stocks, which fell overnight in Shanghai by 0.6 per cent and in Hong Kong by 1.1 per cent. The Japanese Topix gained 0.6 per cent
Wall Street turned positive on Thursday as the positive view of the US economy continues to outweigh the prospects of a rate rise next week. The Dow Jones and S&P-500 gained 0.5 and 0.2 per cent respectively
Gold is settled and subdued as the dollar remains strong, moving sideways to around $1,074

There was still a fair bit of negative sentiment about on Thursday on the back of this week's commodities rout
Brent crude fell back below $40 a barrel in the afternoon, after the latest figures from Opec revealed the cartel had ramped up production in November even despite the global glut
But resource stocks were firmer and the mood was calmer. Glencore even led the risers on the FTSE-100 with a gain of seven per cent after revealing steeper cuts to its debt
Traders are, though, still concerned about the economic effects of retrenchment by big miners and others, which the Financial Times says could offset some of the gains in consumer spending from low prices
The FTSE-100 closed down 0.6 per cent to 6,088, led by retailers and insurers. Sports Direct, which has published disappointing earnings and is the subject of an undercover investigation by The Guardian over its employment practices, fell more than 11 per cent
Old Mutual also finished down nearly 11 per cent, after the shock move by the South African government to replace its finance minister prompted a selloff of the group (it's headquartered in the country)
Elsewhere in Europe a weakening of the euro calmed investors. The FTSE Eurofirst-300 closed down 0.2 per cent, while the French Cac-40 and German Dax have lost and gained less than 0.1 per cent respectively
In the US the firmer dollar was holding up sentiment, leading to early modest gains of 0.1 per cent for the S&P-500 and 0.4 per cent for the Dow Jones
In Asia there were broad-based losses overnight, with both the mainland and Hong Kong Chinese indices losing 0.5 per cent, while the Japanese Topix lost close to one per cent
US benchmarks finished lower for the second session in succession on Wednesday, with the Dow Jones and the S&P-500 falling 0.4 per cent and 0.8 per cent
Gold has remained range-bound ahead of next week's Fed meeting and it has nudged slightly lower to $1,072 an ounce

After a chastening session on Tuesday, commodities markets were calmer on Wednesday. Brent crude is back above $40 a barrel after dipping below this threshold for the first time since 2009
Big miners and wider markets therefore benefitted from an early bounce, which probably reflects a usual period of bargain buying after a sharp fall
Anglo American was up 2.7 per cent in early trading after it hit an all-time low yesterday on the back of a 10 per cent fall. BHP Billiton and Rio Tinto were also up 2.6 and 2.3 per cent respectively
But sentiment turned sour again quickly for the big names and by mid-morning Anglo American was down 13 per cent to a new record low. Losses were later pared
The wider FTSE-100 eventually closed down 0.1 per cent to 6,127
Elsewhere in Europe Germany reported a dip in both imports and exports, which could suggest the eurozone powerhouse is going to see a continued slowdown in growth
The German Dax finished with a 0.8 per cent fall. The FTSE Eurofirst-300 fell 0.5 per cent, while the French Cac-40 slipped close to one per cent
Asian markets broadly fell again overnight, though by a smaller degree than they did in the presious session. The Shanghai Composite even eked out a 0.1 per cent gain
The Dow Jones and S&P-500 had opened sharply lower yeserday afternoon, but they pared some gains and closed down 0.9 and 0.7 per cent respectively. Both are still at historically high levels
Gold is trading in a narrow range ahead of the US Federal Reserve's meeting next week - and it closed Wednesday relatively stable at $1,078 an ounce

European markets fell on Tuesday, as the fallout from the latest oil rout and a wider commodities slump takes its toll on industrial stocks
Oil fell to a seven-year low yesterday and Brent crude even dipped below $40 in early afternoon today, while Iron Ore, to take another example, fell again after a 40 per cent slide already this year
Miner Anglo American announced it was suspending its dividend and slashing jobs and its shares tanked 10 per cent to their lowest ever level. The FTSE mining index is at a ten-year low
Some analysts are even talking up the possibility of oil majors being forced to cut dividends, which is sending some spiralling lower too
This all comes on top of weak Chinese trade data that showed slowing imports and exports and emphasised the case that its economy is slowing. Asian shares took a major hit last night
On the positive side, new GDP data has confirmed that Japan is not, after all, in recession. Its economy grew by one per cent in the last quarter
The FTSE-100 closed down 1.4 per cent, the French Cac-40 by 1.6 per cent, the FTSE Eurofirst-300 by 1.8 per cent and German Dax by two per cent
Shares in Shaghai fell 1.9 per cent, while in Hong Kong the Hang Seng slumped 1.3 per cent. In Japan the Topix fared a little better, shedding a still sizeable one per cent
Wall Street also ended markedly lower on Monday. The Dow Jones and S&P-500 did, however, recover some ground later on to end around 0.7 per cent lower
The benchmarks are both back in the red early in Tuesday trading, shedding one per cent and 0.85 per cent respectively
Continuing gains for the dollar have left gold heading south again - it ended Monday in New York on $1,072 an ounce and has recovered only to around $1,075

The FTSE-100 fell into the red after a promising start, as both the main UK and US benchmarks have struggled in the face of another oil rout
Brent crude eventually fell to a seven-year low of less than $41, after Opec last week failed to offer any certainty at all on its production ceiling at a time when oversupply has pushed reserves to record levels
The UK's blue chip index finished down 0.2 per cent to 6,224. It is being dragged down by oil majors Shell, BG and BP
On Wall Street the Dow Jones has lost one per cent, with Chevron and ExxonMobil among the largest fallers
Europe did better better after European Central Bank president Mario Draghi sought to calm markets that have thrown a major tantrum since new stimulus measures on Thursday
Traders were disappointed that the actions did not go further - but Draghi said in speech on Friday that there were "no limits" to what it would do to boost inflation
Coupled with a wider positive sentiment coming from the US economy - even though another strong jobs reports now makes a rate rise appear certain - this caused indices to rally on Monday
The FTSE Eurofirst-300 closed up 0.4 per cent, while the French Cac-40 finished 0.9 per cent higher and the German Dax ended up 1.2 per cent
Asian bourses broadly enjoyed a positive session, with the Japanese Topix up 0.7 per cent and the Shanghai Composite up 0.3 per cent. Hong Kong's Hang Seng recorded a modest loss of 0.2 per cent
Gold had rallied to $1,085 an ounce as the dollar failed to react to the latest positive non-farm payrolls, but a bounce back for the greenback has pushed the yellow metal down to $1,076

Global markets reacted badly to the latest set of European Central Bank decisions on bank deposit rates and bond-buying
Mario Draghi was presented this morning in City AM as the "Grinch who stole the stanta rally", as a typically upwards December trend on European markets, fuelled by the expectation of further strong stimulus, reversed violently yesterday
Some are saying the strength of the move reflects a loss of credibility for the ECB, after Draghi had talked up stimulus repeatedly in the lead-up to the announcement and then delivered a damp squib
The euro rose strongly - the session saw the third-biggest daily move in its history - which caused a major bout of selling of exporters and others that were enjoying its seven-month low against the dollar
Commodites also rose, with the reversal of the dominant dollar trend making the price of those that are traded in the currency more palatable to overseas buyers
European markets closed markedly lower, with US and Asian indices later following suit. And the selloff has continued into Friday, although some strong German manufacturing data is stemming the tide
Even a very strong US jobs report didn't improved matters. The rates hike many feel is now inevitable from the Fed this month is pretty priced in - or at least, the expectation of it is
The FTSE-100 closed down 0.6 per cent to 6,238. Miners Glencore and Anglo American are again the worst performers, as commodities resume a downward trend. Oil in particular is lower after Opec decided to keep up high production
The FTSE Eurofirst-300, the French Cac-40 and the German Dax all finished down 0.3 per cent
US benchmarks have opened significantly higher, with the Dow Jones and S&P-500 up 1.4 and 1.2 per cent respectively
All major Asian indices closed lower, with the Japanese Topix seeing the largest drop of 1.8 per cent. In Shanghai shares fell by 1.7 per cent, while in hong Kong they fell 0.9 per cent
Wall Street closed markedly lower as traders continue to brace for higher rates. The Dow Jones and S&P-500 are both down 1.5 per cent
Brent crudeis below $44 a barrel in London. Gold has risen on the subdued dollar to $1,085 an ounce.

In anticipation of further stimulus measures from the European Central Bank, traders had sold off the euro to a seven-month low against the dollar - and some said it could reach parity on Thursday afternoon if measures do come
Mario Draghi was expected to announce more bond buying and/or a cut to already negative rates for banks to deposit cash, the net of effect of which should be more money being pumped into the economy
It comes as inflation in the euorzone remains subdued, but the labour market is relatively strong. That is except France, which announced an increased in unemployment to a five-month high of 10.8 per cent
In the event the ECB did extend bond buying until "at least" 2017 and cut the deposit rate by 0.1 per cent to -0.3 per cent. But markets wanted - and had priced in - much more
The disappointment had an immediate market impact: the euro surged two per cent, equities sunk and commodities jumped. The equities selloff was particularly rapid and led to severe falls across bourses by the close
The FTSE-100 ended down 2.3 per cent to 6,275. The FTSE Eurofirst-300, the German Dax and the French Cac-40 all lost in excess of three per cent
Wall Street was lower on Wednesday, as its central bank chairwoman Janet Yellen signalled it was moving in the opposite direction and is "looking forward to raising interest rates", most likely this month
The benchmark Dow Jones was down 0.9 per cent, while the S&P-500 closed 1.1 per cent lower
In Asia stocks remain mixed, with the Shanghai Composite contiuing to recover from a sharp fall last week and adding 1.4 per cent, while the Hong Kong Hang Seng lost 0.3 per cent and Japan's Topix ended flat
The strong dollar is killing commodity process, with gold hitting a new five-year low of $1,052 and Brent crude oil hitting a new six-year low below $43 a barrel before recovering slightly

European indices ended generally flat on Wednesday, as the continuing expectation of more accomodative policy measures from the continent's central bank on Thursday continues to drive trends
In particular, the FT notes, it's weighing on the euro - which in turn boosts exporters as it makes their goods cheaper for overseas buyers
Eurozone inflation numbers disappointed on the downside, remaining unchanged at 0.1 per cent. This gives more weight to the case for expanding the bond buying programme or further reducing bank deposit rates
There is some skittishness around too, The Guardian adds. This is partly due to the continued weakness in commodities, which is the result of the other side of the currency equation at the moment: the strong dollar
The FTSE-100 closed up 0.4 per cent at 6,421. The rally is broad-based, but drug makers are having a good day with AstraZeneca, GlaxoSmithKline and Shire all gaining more than two per cent
In Europe the FTSE Eurofirst-300 closed flat, while the French Cac-40 lost 0.2 per cent, while the German Dax is down 0.6 per cent
Wall Street has had a subdued opening, with the Dow Jones flat and the S&P-500 sitting on a marginal loss of just 0.1 per cent
China continued to be strong overnight, with hopes of more central bank stimulus there boosting stocks on the Shanghai Composite 2.3 per cent. Hong Kong saw a steady 0.4 per cent gain
Wall Street ended Tuesday up strongly, with the Dow Jones and S&P-500, already at relative highs, adding another one per cent. Traders are looking ahead to a jobs report on Friday that could signal the opposite central bank trend: rising interest rates
Brent crude oil is moving lower ahead of a meeting of the Opec cartel on Friday and at at less than $44 a barrel it remains in the doldrums
Gold has moved lower as the dollar has bounced back from a modest dip today, dropping to near its latest six-year low at $1,055 an ounce

The FTSE-100 started off December positively, reflecting in part a bounce-back from its Monday dip but also a strong rally in bank stocks in the wake of an all clear from the banking regulator's stress tests
The prospect of further fiscal stimulus from the European Central Bank had been adding to traditional seasonal cheer on the continent, too, but bourses moved into the red as the day has worn on
On Thursday the central bank it is expected to take some measures to boost inflation by either extending bond purchases or reducing already negative bank deposit interest rates
But a mixed bag of data that showed manufacturing slowing slightly in China soured sentiment for materials companies and cancelled out wider first-day-of-the-month gains
Commodities had also been recovery slightly as the dollar dipped from a 12-year high reached on Monday, but the likes of gold and oil similarly softened through the session
The FTSE-100 closed up 0.6 per cent to 6,395. Barclays led the way with a gain of 4.6 per cent, while Royal Bank of Scotland added 3.2 per cent and Lloyds 2.4 per cent, after the Bank of England declined to demand an increase in capital that might have hurt dividends
The pan-European FTSE Eurofirst-300 was down 0.4 per cent, while the German Dax shed 1.1 per cent and the French Cac-40 was 0.9 per cent lower
Wall Street finished Monday around 0.5 per cent lower, but coming off of recent highs. The dollar index dipped from its 12-year high but is still in excess of 100
A positive start to Tuesday trading in New York was slowly being whittled away after a report showed the construction sector slipping into negative territory for the first time in three years
In China the Shanghai Composite reversed early falls to end 0.4 per cent up, while the Hong Kong Hang Seng closed 1.8 per cent higher. Japanese stocks also rose and the Topix finished up 1.4 per cent
Gold remains at a relatively low $1,068 an ounce. Oil bounced initially but remains constrained by supply fears and Brent crude is still trading a little above $44 a barrel in London

European indices started out Monday with modest falls, as the latest commodities slump feeds through into equities and traders take stock ahead of a big week for policymakers
But in the last session of what was a strong month for equities in general, markets recovered and those on the continent reached a positive close. The FTSE was held back by some big fallers and recorded a modest decline
Divergence in central bank thinking in Europe and America is a key driver of current trends. The ECB is likely to announce further stimulus and a cut to already negative deposit rates for banks on Thursday, while a key jobs report in the US on Friday is predicted to be strong and would likely herald an increase in rates by the Fed later this month
The net result of this is that traders are betting strongly on the dollar against the euro, which was at a seven-month low against the greenback. This hurts commodities that are traded in dollars, as they become expensive for foreign buyers
Gold fell to a new 2015 low of $1,053 - near to a six-year nadir. Iron ore fell to a five-month low in China overnight. Brent crude oil dropped below $45 a barrel. All recovered some ground but remain weak
Aberdeen was the top faller on the FTSE, shedding 4.6 per cent after it reported more massive outflows. Lloyds also fell ahead of Bank of England stress tests that could imperil its dividend. Morrisons is down 1.4 per cent as speculation mounts it could drop out of the FTSE-100 this week
The index overall fell 0.3 per cent to 6,356. Elsewhere in Europe the German Dax closed up 0.8 per cent, while the French Cac-40 rose 0.6 per cent and FTSE Eurofirst-300 ended 0.4 per cent higher
Overnight the mainland China index recovered modestly by 0.3 per cent after its sharp drop on Friday, while in Japan the Topix fell 0.7 per cent on weak manufacturing and growth data

European indices fell on Friday, taking a lead from China where the Shanghai Composite plummeted overnight
The mainland's benchmark slumped 5.5 per cent after the securities investor announced a probe into two brokerages. It has sparked fears of a fresh clampdown on leveraged trading - the geared investing that drives much market activity
As is typical when China falls, the miners that generate much of their revenues in the country crashed and on the FTSE-100 the biggest faller was Anglo American, which dropped 8.2 per cent
Glencore was also a top faller after shedding four per cent, while BHP Billiton, and Rio Tinto declined by more than three per cent. The index is down overall 0.3 per cent to 6,375
Traders were also awaiting the second estimate of GDP data on the UK, which confirmed that the economy grew at a steady 0.5 per cent in the second quarter. Trade made a record negative contribution to the figures, but consumer spending was buoyant
Elsewhere in Europe the French Cac-40 is down around 0.3 per cent. Latest consumer data points to a major slowdown in spending in France during October, which could indicate a fall in economic growth last month
The German Dax is down around 0.2 per cent, while the FTSE Eurofirst-300 is down 0.3 per cent
Wall Street ended Thursday virtually unchanged. Trading was expected to be thin on Friday on what will be a half session
Oil is relatively weak after a volatile weak, moving negatively at around $45 a barrel. Gold is near a six-low low at $1,067 an ounce, as traders await news from the Federal Reserve in the next two weeks

Markets are in positive territory on Wednesday, as the effects from the unnerving downing of a Russian jet by Turkey in the Middle East die down
One trader told the FT the markets had reacted in the same way as after the Paris attacks. Thus Wall Street openly sharply lower on Tuesday, but recovered its poise in the afternoon and ended modestly higher as the effect of the incident were deemed likely to be "transitory"
Wall Street is marginally higher in Wednesday afternoon in subdued pre-Thanksgiving trading, while European shares have rallied strongly as the day has warn on
There is also likely to be some of the usual bargain-buying after a sharp fall on this side of the Atlantic: continential indices had dropped close to 1.5 per cent yesterday
The FTSE-100 is up one per cent to 6,341. Housebuilders are doing well, with Persimmon, Taylor Wimpey and Barrett Developments all surging three per cent or more, after George Osborne set aside new money to rapidly increase housing supply in today's Autumn Statement
The German Dax is 2.2 per cent higher, the French Cac-40 is up 1.8 per cent and FTSE Eurofirst-300 has gained 1.6 per cent on an impressive day across the board
In Asia the overnight trade saw broad falls, with the Hong Kong Hang Seng down 0.4 per cent and the Japanese Topix down 0.7 per cent. But the Shanghai Composite gained 0.9 per cent after positive consumer sentiment data
Brent crude oil had risen to close to $46 a barrel amid the unrest in the Middle East, but its rally has stalled in line with the improvement in sentiment and it is drifting back towards $5
The end of the safe haven rush has also prompted a turnaround in sentiment towards gold, which is down $6 on the day to $1,068 and is therefore back near its six-year low

European equity markets started lower on Tuesday, as traders were awaiting a spate of economic news in the US and after disappointing German GDP data
But the calmer mood that has prevailed this week was shaken mid-morning by the news that a Russian jet was downed over Syria by Turkish forces, which threatens to escalate tensions in the highly-volatile region
An equities selloff accelerated and investors rushed to safe havens, sending government bond yields and gold higher. Oil also gained amid speculation that supplies from the Middle East could be affected
The FTSE-100 ended down 0.5 per cent to 6,277. It was not as severely affected as other European markets due to the confluence of big miners that are gaining from the commodities recovery
On the fallers list airlines are still well represented, with Easyjet down 3.8 per cent after it called flights to Sharm el-Sheikh until next year. British Airways owner IAG was down 3.6 per cent
The German Dax dropped 1.4 per cent. It was also being hit by data that showed the German economy added just 0.3 per cent in the third quarter. Worse, the growth came from consumer spending and exports, on which it has surged in recent years, slumped to a three-year low
The French Cac-40 also lost 1.4 per cent, while the FTSE Eurofirst-300 has shed 1.3 per cent
Wall Street is also falling in early trading, with the Dow Jones having lost 0.4 per cent and the S&P-500 having shed 0.7 per cent
On Monday the S&P-500 lost 0.1 per cent and the Dow Jones lost 0.2 per cent. Both are at relative highs and traders are still awaiting data in the coming weeks to assess the chances of an interest rate hike next month
In Asia, the Hong Kong Hang Seng lost 0.4 per cent, but a late surge in small-caps left the Shanghai Composite on the mainland up 0.2 per cent. The Japanese Topix also gained 0.2 per cent
Gold is up 0.7 per cent at $1,075 an ounce. Brent crude oil is closing in on $46 a barrel

The FTSE-100 has fallen sharply on the open on Monday morning, as the latest fall in commodity prices hits the mining sector hard
The index is off 0.7 per cent to 6,290, with big metals miners taking all five of the top fallers positions in early trading. Glencore is down 5.3 per cent, Anglo American 4.2 per cent, Antofagasta 3.5 per cent, BHP Billiton 3.1 per cent, and Rio Tinto 2.1 per cent
Other European markets are also in retreat as metals such as metals hit multiyear lows. Copper and Zinc are at their lowest for six years, Iron since records began seven years ago and Nickel for 12 years
Gold is also back in retreat and fell below $1,070 overnight. The driving force for the wider slump is the surging dollar, itself a consequence of heightened rate rise expectations in the US
The German Dax is off 0.3 per cent, while the French Cac-40 and FTSE Eurofirst-300 are down 0.5 per cent. European investors may also be nervy on Monday due to the ongoing terror alert in Brussels, which has the city on lockdown
Overnight the two main Chinese markets, the mainland's Shanghai Composite the Hong Kong Hang Seng, fell 0.5 per cent and 0.3 per cent respectively, also primarily as a result of the commodities slump
Wall Street is eyeing a firm opening this afternoon, highlighting the degree to which a rate rise has been priced in. The S&P-500 is just two per cent below its record close
Oil is struggling at the moment as the supply glut concerns intensify, with Brent crude a little above $43.50

European indices were firm on Friday, after a largely positive trading week that has defied the unrest caused by last Friday terrorist atrocities in Paris
Overnight Asian markets generally rose slightly, following a US session that ended with marginal declines on Wall Street
With markets are generally at high levels - the FTSE Eurofirst-300 is heading for its highest close in three months, for example, while the S&P-500 is not far off a record high - these trends indicate resilience and acceptance of a now expected interest rate hike in the US next month
In Europe, markets may be boosted today by the opposite central bank action, as European Central Bank president Mario Draghi hinted this morning at more stimulus and possibly even further interest rate cuts to counter deflation
The FTSE-100 rose 0.1 per cent to 6,335. Sky is among the top risers with a 1.9 per cent gain after Ofcom ruled it is able to set whatever charge it likes for other television services to offer Sky Sports to subscribers
Elsewhere in Europe the German Dax and the FTSE Eurofirst-300 are 0.3 and 0.2 per cent higher. The pan-European index closed the week up around 3.5 per cent
In France the Cac-40 was virtually flat and marginally in the red, as traders take stock of what as been a disturbing week in the capital. A state of emergency for the country was extended yesterday
Wall Street has opened significantly higher for its final session of the week this afternoon, with the Dow Jones gaining 0.9 per cent and the S&P-500 adding 0.7 per cent
In Asia overnight the Japanese Nikkei rose 0.1 per cent to its highest close since mid-November, while the Hang Seng in Hong Kong jumped 1.1 per cent
Wall Street's two main indices ended slightly lower, with the Dow Jones down just a few points and the S&P-500 0.1 per cent off
Gold has continued to hold up despite the latest rates hint as the dollar takes a breather from its recent rally, sitting at around $1,082 an ounce. Brent crude oil remains weak at near $44 a barrel

Markets finally appear to be pricing in a US interest rates hike - and are therefore reacting warmly to hints 'lift off' will happen next month on the basis that it reflects an improving US and global economy
Yesterday afternoon in New York the Federal Reserve published minutes of its October meeting - at which it held rates again - in which a more hawkish sentiment for the next session in December was confirmed and some policymakers said conditions for a rise "could well be met"
Economists are now saying it will take a really bad jobs report in November or a major market selloff on some global concerns to derail a rise
But as it's been largely priced in, traders are going about the business of stocking up on risk and both Asia and US markets rose. Europe followed suit on Thursday, too
The FTSE-100 has jumped 0.8 per cent to 6,330 on the back of a board-based rally. Royal Mail shares are among the top risers with a five per cent gain, after it beat expectations stable underlying earnings in the first half
Elsewhere the French Cac-40 bounced back early on after its Wednesday slide but an afternoon drift saw it land 0.1 per cent lower, after lawmakers voted to extend a state of emergency that could have economic ramifications
However, given that it surged on Tuesday the overall picture for this week is one of defiance in the face of the terror unrest
Elsewhere in Europe the German Dax is up 1.2 per cent and the FTSE Eurofirst-300 is up 0.4 per cent. Both are also rebounding from losses on Wednesday - but are similarly off their highs earlier in the day
Asian stocks rose strongly overnight, with the Hong Kong Hang Seng and mainland China's Shanghai Composite both up 1.4 per cent. The Japanese Topix rose 0.9 per cent
This followed a positive close on Wall Street in the wake of the Fed minutes, with the Dow Jones and S&P-500 ending their session 1.4 and 1.6 per cent higher
Wall Street is essentially unchanged on Thursday, which in the context of the S&P-500 being near record highs is respectable. On their markets debut, shares in Twitter CEO Jack Dorsey's other business, Square, have surged 33 per cent
Some profit taking against the dollar, which has surged in recent days, helped to hold up gold, which has risen to around $1,084 an ounce. Brent crude oil is hovering around $44.50 a barrel

European markets followed a very strong performance on Tuesday with early falls on Wednesday, due to a combination of renewed commodity concerns and the latest skittishness related to the ongoing terror threat
The latter is being fuelled by the cancellation of the Germany vs Holland football match last night, which local police said was the result of a "concrete" threat. None of the explosives that were reported to have been suspected at the stadium were found, but that hasn't completely quelled the unrest
In fact the news interrupted a rally on Wall Street and caused it to slide back in afternoon trading, with the S&P-500 closing 0.1 per cent down and the Dow Jones flat
Then came the news of the terror raid in the Saint Denis region of Paris, which went on until mid-morning and saw more explosions and a shootout with police. President Fracois Hollande called it the latest action in a "war"
The commodities worry relates to copper, which has hit a new six-year low on the latest rise in the US dollar and amid concerns of weakness in China. This left miners on the FTSE-100 such as Glencore and BHP Billiton down more than two per cent at the open, though they moved into gains as the afternoon has worn on
In fact European indices generally pared the worst of their losses as confidence returned and after a positve US open, but most still ended in the red
Overall the FTSE-100 is marginally up 0.2 per cent at 6,279, recovering from an earlier loss on the improving picture among miners
The French Cac-40 reacted the latest terror news by falling the furthest of its European peers. Eventually it gave back 0.6 per cent of yesterday's near-three per cent rally, but that is better than the one per cent losses earlier on
Elsewhere the German Dax and FTSE Eurofirst-300 ended down around 0.1 and 0.2 per cent respectively
Some better news in China is adding to a more positive underlying sense for traders in the US and Wall Street has opened higher, with the Dow Jones and S&P-500 currently 0.5 per cent higher
Asian stocks were mixed overnight, with Japanese stocks ending the day virtually flat ahead of the latest pronouncements from the central bank while China's Shanghai Composite lost around one per cent
As the flight to safety unravelled yesterday so did the support for gold, which hit a new five-year low and is currently languishing at around $1,064 an ounce. Oil is also weak and Brent is hovering below $44 a barrel in London

Global markets bounced back after falling initially on Monday, as investors displayed confidence that the terrorist atrocity in Paris will not have a long-term impact on growth
In France, economic sentiment is also being boosted by the government's decision to invoke a European Union security protocol and throw out plans to make defence cuts to reign in its budget deficit. This will effectively amount to a significant stimulus package
Investors are also betting that stimulus will come from the European Central Bank, which issued its latest warning on the eurozone economy on Monday
The FTSE-100 jumped two per cent to 6,269, it's biggest rise in six weeks, despite the drag effect of a more than four per cent fall from EasyJet. The firm reported record profits for the fifth successive year, but the figures do not include the cost implications of the Sharm el-Sheikh disaster
In France the Cac-40 rallied 2.8 per cent to 4,937, led by many of the travel groups that suffered from a selloff on Monday. Hotel group Accor followed its 4.7 per cent slide yesterday with a gain of 1.6 per cent, while Airbus surged 3.3 per cent. Defence stocks also unsurprisingly did well
Elsewhere the German Dax was up 2.4 per cent and the FTSE Eurofirst-300 2.6 per cent
Wall Street had ended higher on Monday as more positive sentiment set in through the day, with the Dow Jones and S&P-500 closing up 1.4 and 1.5 per cent respectively
Both have continued that rally into Tuesday on the back of strong US inflation data that bolsters the case for an interest rates rise next month. They're up around 0.4 per cent
Asian shares also performed well overnight, with Japan in particular bouncing back after its latest negative growth figures prompted a slide on Monday. The Topix was 0.9 per cent higher
Gold has lost its shine in the face of the return to risk, falling back to its recent lows around $1,083 an ounce overnight. Brent crude oil remains below $45 a barrel

Markets in Europe opened up lower on Monday, as investors continued to digest the potential ramifications of the atrocity in Paris on Friday and flocked to safe havens
But the initial declines were less severe than had been anticipated and markets moved off of the early lows before staging a late surge into broadly positive territory before the close
The UK's benchmark index eventually booked a solid 0.5 per cent gain, with every other index in the black except the French Cac-40, which touched into positive territory but ended with only a marginal loss
The FTSE-100 had fallen 0.4 per cent first thing, but ended half a percentage point higher at 6,146. Unsurprisingly, travel and tourism-related shares suffered, with British Airways owner IAG down 2.8 per cent and Thompson parent TUI down more than four per cent
In France itself the markets opened as usual and the Cac-40 eventually closed wityh a loss of 0.1 per cent, up from an initial decline of 0.6 per cent. Again, travel stocks have been worst hit with Air France losing 5.7 per cent and hotel group Accor shedding 4.7 per cent
Elsewhere in Europe the German Dax and the wider FTSE Eurofirst-300 both gained 0.2 per cent
Wall Street is set to open marginally in the red amid a general risk-off mood, but losses will be limited and the Dow Jones and S&P-500 should be just 0.2 per cent lower
Gold has bounced higher from its recent lows as traders seek safe havens in anticipation of upheaval, rising back above $1,092 an ounce. Bonds are also in high demand
Equities in Asia fell overnight, with the general skittishness in the wake of the Paris tragedy exacerbated by the news that Japan has fallen back into recession, with a worse than expected 0.8 per cent annualised decline in the economy in the third quarter
The Japanese Topix fell 0.9 per cent and the Nikkei lose more than one per cent. The Hang Seng in Hong Kong lost 1.7 per cent
Oil rallied a little in the general shift to safety by remains depressed at a little more than $44 a barrel

European markets drifted lower on Friday, as the outlook for commodities worsens and growth figures for the euro area showed ongoing economic weakness across the bloc
GDP numbers for most of the single currency states included a disappointing 0.3 per cent quarterly expansion in Germany and a healthier 0.7 per cent in France, but which economists derided as being driven by volatile inventory building by companies
Elsewhere Netherlands GDP has underwhelmed at just 0.1 per cent and Finland is doing even worse than expected with 0.6 per cent contraction. On the eastern fringes of the eurozone there was better news, with Slovakia and Czech Republic outperforming expectations with growth of 0.9 and 0.5 per cent
The FTSE-100 ended down one per cent to 6,119, with Rolls Royce continuing to be one of the worst performers with a loss so far of 4.3 per cent. Security group G4S was also down sharply, by 3.6 per cent
Elsewhere in Europe the German Daxwas down 0.7 per cent, the Cac-40 by one per cent and the FTSE Eurofirst-300 by 0.8 per cent
On Wall Street the bearish sentiment is continuing in the opening hours of trading, with the Dow Jones and S&P-500 sitting on losses of 0.8 and 0.7 per cent shortly after the open
A slump in energy stocks had left the Hong Kong Hang Seng down 2.2 per cent overnight, while on the mainland the Shanghai Composite lost 1.4 per cent. Japan's Topix was also down, shedding 0.5 per cent
The combination of weak commodities and continued worries over a rate rise left Wall Street down again on Wednesday, with both the Dow Jones and S&P-500 losing around 1.4 per cent
Oil is locked into a fresh slump and Brent crude is well below $44 a barrel, close to the six-year lows reached in the summer. Gold is also extremely weak and hit a five-year low close around $1,080

The FTSE-100 started significantly lower on Thursday and continued to move south through the day, as concern in the mining sector in particular weighs on the blue-chip index.
It ended off 1.9 per cent to 6,179. Leading the downward move is Rolls Royce, which shed 20 per cent after issuing its latest profits warning
But its mining shares that are having the biggest impact with all of the big sector players in the red. Glencore lost around eight per cent and closed around 95p per share
This all follows the latest indication that manufacturing activity in China is slowing, a further signal that its economic growth is tapering down and a worrying sign for global exporters
Elsewhere in Europe, the German Dax was down 1.2 per cent, the French Cac-40 by 1.9 per cent and the wider FTSE Eurofirst-300 1.6 per cent
In the US both the Dow Jones and the S&P-500 ended Wednesday around 0.3 per cent lower, as a more bearish sentiment that has set in since rate rise expectations jumped last week continues
They've continued this move on Thursday, taking the lead from the weakness in Europe and the fears on China. The Dow Jones and S&P-500 are down 0.8 and 0.7 per cent
In Asia overnight the mood was mixed, with China's benchmark Shanghai Composite giving up 0.5 per cent of its recent strong rally, while the Hong Kong Hang Seng surged 2.4 per cent as financial stocks responded well to the latest action by the central bank to ease the Renminbi's value
Elsewhere the Japanese Topix fell by a marginal 0.1 per cent, while positive news in Australia boosted the Aussie Dollar and left the S&P/ASX-200 0.1 per cent up
Brent oil is heading back to $45 a barrel after the latest indications in the US of a build in supply, while the gold price has softened further to $1,079 an ounce

European markets started in positive mood on Wednesday, as reports overnight from China both confirmed that its growth could be slowing but suggested it is succeeding in its transition to a demand-led economy
Industrial production grew by 5.6 per cent last month, down from a year ago and below forecast, while fixed investment hit estimates but still fell to the lowest level in 15 years
On the other hand, retail sales rose 11 per cent in October, above forecasts and the fastest pace of growth since December last year. The 'singles day' consumer event also racked up a record $10bn (£6.6bn) in sales
UK jobless figures were also published this morning, showing a decline in the unemployment rate to 5.3 per cent but wage growth falling slightly
The FTSE-100 slipped back in late trading and ended 0.4 per cent higher at 6,297, still managing to buck a four-day losing streak after its recent rally was broken
Among the stocks providing a headwind was Sainsbury's, which rose strongly first thing after its profits beat forecast and fell by 'only' 18 per cent. It ended down seven per cent for the day, though, as investors lament a slight cut in the dividend amid on ongoing price war
The German Dax is up 0.7 per cent, the French Cac-40 by 0.8 per cent and the FTSE Eurofirst-300 by 0.7 per cent. All also finished slightly off their earlier peaks
Wall Street can also take part of the blame for the waning sentiment, as lingering fears over a rates rise have pushed the Dow Jones and S&P-500 down 0.3 and 0.1 per cent in early trading
In Asia, the strong consumer figures boosted China's Shanghai Composite 0.3 per cent, while the Hong Kong Hang Seng drifted 0.2 per cent. The Japanese Topix gained 0.4 per cent
Gold is relfecting the rates rise speculation and is slipping again at $1,085 an ounce. Oil is lower after a bearish International Energy Agency report and another reserves build in the US, with Brent crude below $47 a barrel in London

The FTSE-100 started in positive mood on Monday, as a general risk-on environment continued to support equities in the wake of Friday's US jobs data
This has waned as the day has gone on, however, as traders consolidate gains and equities in Europe, futures on Wall Street and even the mighty dollar all soften from recent highs
The UK's benchmark index is just 0.1 per cent down for the day at 6,349. It is outperforming its European cousins due to a strong performance in the financial sector, which has warmly received the proposals of the Financial Stability Board to prevent future taxpayer bailouts
Under the plans, banks would be required to raise up to 18 per cent of total assets in debt that would convert to equity in the event of a crisis. Some had expect more draconian measures
There are some nerves around the eurozone, amid claims that the Greek government is not holding up its end of the austerity bargain it struck with creditors that could see its latest tranche of rescue funding withheld
The Dax is down 0.3 per cent, despite new data this morning showing a bounce back into positive figures for German exports and imports
Elsewhere, the French Cac-40 is down 0.5 per cent and the wider FTSE Eurofirst-300 has shed 0.2 per cent
On Wall Street both benchmarks the Dow Jones and S&P-500 are set to open around 0.2 per cent lower, as traders take stock amid a surge in predictions of an interest rate rise next month
Many investors remain nervous about the consequences of a rates rise, which will impact on economies around the world and have a major impact on yields across a range of assets
In China stocks rallied strongly overnight, after the announcement that a ban on market listings is to be lifted added to the sense authorities are once again confident indices will not tumble.
The Shanghai Composite added 1.6 per cent to 3,647, near a four-month high. Japanese shares are also at their highest since early summer, with the Topx having gained 1.8 per cent
Gold is languishing back near its summer five-year low at $1,087. The strong jobs data on Friday is being taken as a sign rates could be increased in December, which would hit the metal further
Oil is back in a trough, with Brent crude at around $47.50 a barrel in London

The FTSE-100 started marginally higher on Friday morning, after a strong finish to Thursday in the wake of the latest Bank of England decision to hold interest rates at their record low of 0.5 per cent
Traders typically trade equities up when they get the sense that the Bank of England is in a dovish mood, as there remains a prevailing view that the economy would suffer if the vast swaths of credit in circulation became more expensive
The benchmark UK index had powered on through the day, after data showed UK factory output rising at the fastest rate since April 2014. But it's turned negative as signals on a US rate hike have spooked investors. It eventually closed down 0.2 per cent up at 6,352.
That's the big story of the day: US jobs data smashed estimates this afternoon by close to 100,000. The market now believes it is more like than not the Fed will raise rates in December
The same rule applies in the states that traders are nervous of rates hikes, so on Wall Street the Dow Jones and S&P-500 are down 0.1 and 0.3 per cent respectively. Gold has also plummeted and is only $3 above its five-year low in August at $1,087
The German Dax is up 0.9 per cent on strong European industrial production figures, while the Cac-40 is up 0.1 per cent and the FTSE Eurofirst-300 is up 0.2 per cent
Asian stocks generally rose overnight, with the Chinese Shanghai Composite 1.9 per cent higher and the Japanese Topix gaining 0.6 per cent. In contrast, the Hong Kong Hang Seng lost 0.8 per cent
Oil remains low and Brent crude is just above $48 a barrel, as the market continues to digest the latest reserves rise that was reported mid-week

Markets in Europe started strongly on Wednesday, after Wall Street finished higher in its Tuesday session and the S&P-500 closed just one per cent shy of a record it set in May
Equities have benefitted from a 'risk-on' move in recent months, but persistent volatility has smoothed out into a more consistent upward drive as a result of waning fears over a China slowdown and stronger sentiment in the US
Bucking the trend on Wednesday morning is the Dax, which is again being weighed down by Volkswagen. The index has lost 0.4 per cent to 10,909 in early trading
The beleaguered car marker is 7.5 per cent lower - and at one point had lost ten per cent - after it revealed the ongoing global emissions scandal touches even more of its cars, including for the first time petrol models
The FTSE-100 is more buoyant, gaining one per cent to 6,445. It is being boosted by Marks and Spencer, which has risen more than three per cent after its sales declined by a lower-than-expected 1.4 per cent and it reported improved profits due to a stubborn stance on not competing for business with heavy discounts
Data published today has also given a more optimistic view on likely fourth quarter economic growth in the UK, with the dominant services sector shown to be expanding strongly
Elsewhere the Cac-40 is up 0.8 per cent and the wider FTSE Eurofirst-300 has gained one per cent
On Wall Street the Dow Jones and the S&P-500 are broadly flat. Investors are reacting to steady jobs data and decent export figures, which have the effect of keeping a December interest rate rise in play
A hugely positive Asia session saw Chinese shares soar on the back of strong services sector data that quelled concern over its economy. The Shanghai Composite bounced 4.3 per cent and the Hong Kong Hang Seng jumped 2.1 per cent
Oil rallied on Tuesday on the back of the China data, but it is drifting again as traders await data that will likely show oversupply continuing to build reserves of crude in the US. Brent is back below $50 a barrel
Gold has continued to fall as it remains unanchored by technical supports following the about-turn on rates sentiment and speculation of a December hike. It's down at $1,116 an ounce.

Stocks in Europe remained firm on Tuesday, with continued strong sentiment and gains in the US holding stocks near three-month highs, even despite some company weakness and poor data on UK exports
The data show UK exporters hitting a six-year low, extending the UK's stubborn trade deficit. It's making a few headlines, especially given the potential further drag in the months to come of a slowdown in growth in china
On their own, however, the figures may not trouble investors too much: they are used to the UK trade imbalance, they do not paint a full picture of the manufacturing sector (which was yesterday shown to be at a 16-month high in output) and underneath the headline trend more than half of firms saw orders remain stable
On the companies side, Standard Chartered slumped seven per cent after it revealed a loss of $139m in the third quarter and a plan to cut 15,000 jobs. Primark Owner Associated British Foods was also down after reporting a 30 per cent fall in profit
Despite all of that the FTSE-100 rose 0.3 per cent in early trading to 6,384, clinging on to the positive momentum built up through Monday afternoon
In wider Europe the Dax is being weighed down by a dive for Volkswagen after its Porsche brand was dragged into the ongoing emissions scandal, with the index flat. The French Cac-40 and FTSE Eurofirst-300 are both up 0.4 per cent
Indices are taking their lead from a positive Wall Street session, where a less-than-stellar earnings season still beat analyst expectations and has left investors in buoyant mood. The Dow Jones and S&P-500 ended 0.9 and 1.2 per cent higher
Both benchmark indices are also in positive mood on Tuesday morning, with the Dow Jones starting out with a gain of close to 0.4 per cent
Asian markets also took a lead from US stocks. Japanese markets were on a one-day holiday, but in Hong Kong the Hang Seng rose 0.9 per cent
Gold is continuing to soften, falling to $1,135 an ounce, while oil is also falling back again and Brent crude is close to $48.50 a barrel in London

Latest weak data coming out of China, this time a purchasing managers' index showing a third consecutive month of manufacturing decline, set the week off to a negative start in Europe
It is worth noting that the figure of 48.3 - where 50 represents expansion - was slightly better than consensus expectations of a reading of 47.6. Things could be worse and in the minds of some the slowdown may be nearing a bottom
There was also more weak eurozone data early on - Spain's manufacturing sector growth fell to a 23-month low and Ireland's also dipped slightly in October - that weighed on European investor sentiment
But the mood has lifted as the afternoon has gone on, after data showed the the UK manufacturing sector bouncing back to a 16-month high in output, the Greek manufacturing sector recovering strongly and better-than-expected Greek bank stress tests that have calmed any residual worries in the eurozone
Data published in the US this afternoon was less stellar, showing the factory sector only marginally in expansion territory. But even this was marginally ahead of analyst expectations, is quite impressive given the drag effect of a very strong dollar, and masks a decent pick-up in new business orders
The FTSE-100 lagged all day and ultimately returned to partity on 6,361. HSBC shares ended 0.8 per cent lower despite reporting far-better-than-expected earnings for the third quarter
On the continent, the German Dax closed 0.9 per cent higher, while the French Cac-40 was up 0.4 per cent and FTSE Eurofirst-300 gained 0.3 per cent
On Wall Street both the Dow Jones and the S&P-500 are up around 0.6 per cent, as investors continue to feed of the more confident tone set down by the Fed last week
Asian shares reacted badly to the China news, with the Shanghai Composite shedding 1.7 per cent and the Hong Kong Hang Seng losing 1.2 per cent. In Japan the Topix ended two per cent lower
Gold is still on the wane and trading at a mutliweek low of $1,138 an ounce, while oil has recovered slightly and Brent crude is marginally above $49 a barrel in London

European markets gave up modest early gains and were heading for a negative close on the final trading of the month, but most finished higher after a late surge following surprisingly upbeat data on eurozone inflation and unemployment
Latest figures show the single currency bloc is now no longer seeing prices fall (although they aren't rising either as inflation returned to zero). Unemployment figures were also the lowest since early 2012, with Italy recording its best jobless figures in two decades
Earlier Spanish GDP numbers showed a slight easing on growth in the third quarter to a still-impressive 0.8 per cent - by far the best in Europe and well ahead of the UK's 0.5 per cent expansion
Taken together these figures will add some doubt into the minds of traders who have been convinced by recently dovish central bank comments that there will be further stimulus measures to boost the economy in the near future
The FTSE-100 was the laggard and it closed with a loss of 0.5 per cent to 6,361. Among those losing ground was RBS, which ended down one per cent after the state-owned bank recorded an underlying loss for the third quarter. British Airways owner IAG finished down 2.5 per cent despite strong results, reflecting a bout of profit-taking by investors
Elsewhere a volatile day ended mostly positively. The German Dax finished 0.5 per cent higher, the French Cac-40 gained 0.2 per cent and the wider FTSE Eurofirst-300 was broadly unchanged for the day
US stocks opened higher but are also now modestly in negative territory. Both the Dow Jones and the S&P-500 are around 0.1 per cent down for the day less than an hour after the open
In Asian overnight, there was a late surge after the Bank of Japan downgraded growth and inflation forecasts and said it was ready to take action to boost the economy if needed. Investors want stimulus, so reacted warmly
Japanese stocks rose steadily and the Topix closed 0.7 per cent higher. Elsewhere there was a modest negative closes of 0.1 per cent in Shanghai, but a bigger decline of 0.7 per cent in Hong Kong
US markets had a mixed session after an upbeat Fed report coincided with weaker GDP data, which overall left the market in wait-and-see mode. The Dow Jones and S&P-500 ended 0.1 per cent lower and virtually unchanged respectively
Oil is relatively weak again after that burst higher on Wednesday, with Brent crude sitting around $48.50 a barrel in London

The FTSE-100 is lower on Thursday, as a big loss for Shell has dragged its shares 1.5 per cent down and a profits slump at Barclays left it more than six per cent lower. The index was off 0.7 per cent to 6,395 at the close
Markets took a marginally more positive mood as the day has progressed, helped by a confident tone from the US Federal Reserve in its latest rates decision (an expected hold) and mixed US GDP data which show strong domestic demand
US economic growth slowed considerably from 3.9 per cent to 1.5 per cent in the third quarter, but this was mostly the temporary effect of lower factory output to clear warehouses. Consumer spending is high, unemployment is low and wages are rising - pointing to better times ahead
In Europe there was mixed data which showed consumer confidence declining while business confidence rose. Germany also saw inflation move back into positive territory for September
This all means that despite a €6bn loss for Deutsche Bank that has left its shares six per cent low, the German Dax is only slightly down by 0.2 per cent
The French Cac-40 is down 0.4 per cent, while the wider FTSE Eurofirst-300 is down 0.1 per cent, in what has proved to be a mixed day of trading
US indices have taken a lead from the GDP drop and started in the red, with the Dow Jones and S&P-500 both sitting on a loss of around 0.2 per cent
Asian markets were similarly mixed overnight, with the Shanghai Composite in China recording a 0.4 per cent rise, while the Hong Kong Hang Seng fell 0.6 per cent. Japanese stocks were virtually unchanged
Wall Street took solace from the less sombre tone of the Fed and rallied steadily on Wednesday afternoon, with the Dow Jones and S&P-500 ending 1.1 and 1.2 per cent higher respectively
Oil had a good run in New York after a lower-than-expected inventory build last week, but a short-covering rally gave way in Asia overnight and Brent crude is back below $49 a barrel

Markets in Europe were in a mixed mood on Wednesday morning, with several national benchmark opening marginally in positive territory despite a wider pan-European index showing a sizeable early fall
Good news that was driving sentiment in some quarters includes strong results for Apple in the US (as such a big company it's a bellwether), Lloyds in the UK and, in as much as investors seem be suggesting they could have been worse, Volkswagen in Germany
This latter is probably the biggest business news of the day: as expected, VW has posted its first quarterly loss in 15 years, of €3.5bn. It also set aside another €200m to fix its emissions-cheating cars. Despite all that, shares rose more than four per cent
Markets were buoyed further later after the Swedish central bank ramped up its quantitative easing programme, which some hope will lead to more bond-buying by the European Central Bank
Markets were also awaiting the latest decision of the US Federal Reserve, which will come after European trading closes and is almost certain to leave rates unchanged. Traders will be speculating over signs that could point to a December rise
The FTSE-100 closed up 1.1 per cent per cent to 6,437. The German Dax ended up 1.3 per cent, the French Cac-40 rose 0.9 per cent and the FTSE Eurofirst-300 reversed its earlier slide to a one per cent gain
Wall Street is also higher ahead of the Fed announcement, with the Dow Jones and S&P-500 both up around 0.6 per cent
Asian markets were mixed overnight ahead of the Fed meeting, with the Japanese Topix nudging up 0.3 per cent but the Shanghai Composite in China losing 1.7 per cent
Wall Street had closed marginally lower on Tuesday as a weak corporate earnings season weighs on sentiment, with the Dow Jones and S&P-500 shedding 0.2 and 0.3 per cent
Oil was continuing to be hit by investment retrenchment, but has bounced in the afternoon after data showed a smaller stockpile build than expected in the US. Brent crude is above $49 a barrel

Data published this morning revealed that the UK economy came off the boil in the third quarter, with growth slowing from the 0.7 per cent recorded in the previous three months to 0.5 per cent
In particular this reflects a slowdown in the manufacturing and construction sectors, adding to the sense that industrials will struggle during a period of slower global growth
Elsewhere the latest data on the US economy is similarly weak, with the latest flash estimate for the services sector showing slower growth in the third quarter and orders for durable (industrial) goods falling for the second successive month
All in all, investors are taking all of this as a sign that we are entering a period of slower expansion. It's also very likely to persuade US rate setters not to hike borrowing costs tomorrow
The FTSE-100 ended down 0.8 per cent to 6,365. European markets. The German Dax, French Cac-40 and FTSE Eurofirst-300 all lost one per cent
Wall Street has opened lower on the back of the weak data and ahead of some key corporate results this afternoon from Apple in particular. The Dow Jones and S&P-500 are down 0.1 and 0.3 per cent
Overnight in Asia the Shanghai Composite and Hong Kong Hang Seng barely moved, but the Japanese Topix continued a volatile trend and lost a little more than one per cent
US markets moved around a lot in their first session of the week but eventually closed marginally lower, with the Dow Jones and S&P-500 also taking a lead from weak corporate earnings and ending 0.1 and 0.2 per cent down
Oil has moved further south on the latest oversupply fears, with Brent crude trading at just above $47 a barrel in London

European markets opened lower on Monday, following an underwhelming showing overnight in Asia in response to the latest rates cut by the Chinese central bank
In their first session after the announcement on Friday, Asian markets either eked out only modest gains or actually fell slightly as concern persisted over underlying weakness that is slowing growth
In the UK traders also responded to predictions that UK economic growth could be slighty slower than expected in the third quarter at 0.5 per cent. It was expected to come in at 0.7 per cent, but new data has revealed the biggest slowdown in exports since 2012
Germany bucked the wider trend and swung positively through the day, after a survey revealed its private sector bosses remain very confident on the economy despite the Volkswagen scandal
The FTSE-100 ended down 0.4 per cent to 6,417, having benfitted from the German mood swing to come off earlier lows. TalkTalk shares have shed nine per cent again after closing on a 4.4 per cent loss on Friday, as the fallout from its cyber attack rolls on
Elesewhere in the Europe the French Cac-40 and the wider FTSE Eurofirst-300 have lost 0.5 and 0.4 per cent respectively. The German Dax closed up 0.1 per cent for the day
In the US markets have opened lower, as attention turns to the Federal Reserve meeting later this week. The Dow Jones is down 0.1 per cent and the S&P-500 has shed 0.3 per cent in early trading
In China the Shanghai Composite gained just 0.5 per cent overnight, while the Hing Kong Hang Seng actually lost 0.2 per cent after a late selloff to end the session
In Japan, hopes that the dovish tone of central banks in Europe and China will prompt further stimulus from the Bank of Japan have buoyed traders, with the Topix gaining 0.7 per cent
A broad risk-on move over the past month or so continues to impact gold, which has fallen back to around $1,166 an ounce. Oil is also still struggling, with Brent crude hovering above $47.50 a barrel in London

Talk of further stimulus to boost the eurozone economy helped shares on Friday, which opened higher after Thursday's positive close following a dovish press conference from the ECB
The rally was given an additional kick after China's central bank reduced its main borrowing rates for the sixth time in a year, which has boosted miners and other sectors heavily exposed to the country
Markets were also being buoyed by enexpectedly strong data on the German and French economies, with private sector output indices showing growth in October compared to September
The data are not all positive however, with Germany's manufacturing sector growth slowing compared to September and at a seven-month low. This won't kill the mood - and in fact in as much as it continues to point to the need for some central bank support it may even add to the positive mood among traders
The FTSE-100 is up 1.1 per cent to 6,444. Amid broad-based rises, Talk Talk shares fell more than four per cent lower after it suffered a major breach of its online account system. This, however, is much better than an intitial 11 per cent slump
The German Dax and French Cac-40 responded well to the strong economic figures, up by 2.9 and 2.5 per cent respectively. The wider FTSE Eurofirst-300 was up around two per cent
Asian stockmarkets all joined in the rally that began in Europe and the US on Wednesday, ending their overnight session higher. Japanese shares led the way, with the Topix up close to two per cent
Wall Street had ended significantly higher for the day, with the Dow Jones up 1.9 per cent and the S&P-500 ending 1.7 per cent higher
Oil is still struggling and Brent crude is marginally above $48 a barrel in London

Stocks in Europe had been weak earlier on Thursday ahead of the press conference concluding the European Central Bank October meeting
But shares rallied strongly in the wake of the press briefing, after bank chief Mario Draghi gave a strong indication that the bank may boost its stimulus programme in December and keep it in play for longer
Markets have been waiting for signs of further stimulus to boost the single currency zone, which is showing signs of a deflationary environment and is exposed to a slowdown in emerging markets
Wall Street also took a lead from Europe and opened higher, helped by strong earnings and consequent stock bounces for McDonalds and eBay
The FTSE-100 closed up 0.4 per cent to 6,376. In the UK sentiment is being helped by news that retail sales have been given a major boost in recent weeks by the Rugby World Cup
Sentiment is also positive in the wake of the apparently pro-EU intervention of Bank of England governor Mark Carney in the 'Brexit' debate, which may calm the nerves of those worried about the upheaval from a vote to leave
The German Dax and French Cac-40 are up by an impressive 2.5 and 2.3 per cent respectively, while the wider FTSE Eurofirst-300 is up 2.1 per cent
On Wall Street the Dow Jones and S&P-500 are 0.9 and 0.6 per cent higher respectively
In Asia the Japanese Topix lost 0.6 per cent and the Hong Kong Hang Seng is heading for losses on its return from a public holiday, down 0.6 per cent in the final minutes of trading. Mainland China's Shanghai Composite is, however, regained some of the ground it lost on Wednesday and closed up 1.5 per cent
Oil is having a hard time of it again, with Brent crude hovering around $48 a barrel in London after an overnight fall

Markets have rebounded after falling slightly in early trading on Wednesday, shrugging off some weak company results and lingering concerns on the global economy
The reversal is seen as part of a general 'risk-on' rally and is tracking a positve turn for Wall Street futures, which are responding to corporate earnings that are less than stellar but better than some analysts had feared
In Europe traders are looking ahead to an ECB meeting later this week and its decision on whether to expand its stimulus programme, while a critical European Commission ruling has imposed a bill tax bill on Starbucks and Fiat - and has put other multinationals in the firing line
The FTSE-100 ended up 0.1 per cent to 6,348. This is despite a hefty drag from Home Retail, the owner of Argos, and former FT owner Pearson, which both issued profit warnings and suffered double-digit declines
In wider Europe the German Daxgained 0.9 per cent, the French Cac-40 closed up 0.5 per cent and the FTSE Eurofirst-300 ended virtually unchanged for the day after a late dip
In the US both the Dow Jones and S&P-500 are set to make advances on the open, with pre-market trading pointing to a rise of around 0.4 per cent
In China the Shaghai Composite fell markedly by 3.5 per cent, although there was little in the way of news driving the trend, which is more a function of heavily leveraged trading from the minority of market participants that are not state controlled
Elsewhere Japanese shares rose and the Topix ended 1.8 per cent higher, as speculation grew that the Bank of Japan will relent on its position and inject more stimulus into the economy
In the US it was another relatively flat session, as uncertainty on rates left the focus on weak corporate earnings. Both the Dow Jones and S&P-500 ended marginally lower
Oil is back on the wane, most likely on fears of Iranian supply coming in the months ahead. Brent crude is slightly above $48 a barrel in London

Markets were in inconsistent form again on Tuesday, with concerns over China, speculation on European Central Bank stimulus and a mixed bag of company results all exerting competing influences
In general European indices swung from modest early gains to equally modest losses by the close, with the change caused in part by data showing credit conditions in the eurozone improving - and therefore reducing the chances that the ECB will ramp up its bond buying at its meeting tomorrow
In general, traders have been responding to recent poor data on prices in Europe with enthusiasm in the hope that it will persuade policy makers to increase stimulus
The FTSE-100 closed slightly down by 0.1 per cent to 6,345, with Whitbread up after strong results for its Costa Coffee unit and outsourcer Asos rising after mixed results revealed it had smashed through the £1bn sales barrier
Most European markets are lower, with the German Dax down 0.2 per cent, the French Cac-40 down 0.6 per cent and the FTSE Eurofirst-300 sitting on a loss of 0.5 per cent
US markets are looking to open slightly lower, as traders remain focuses on weak corporate earnings. The Dow Jones and S&P-500 are set to open 0.1 and 0.2 per cent fown respectively
Overnight in China the benchmark Shanghai Composite recorded a 1.1 per cent advance, as leaders looked set to sign major nuclear deals in the UK. The Hong Kong Hang Seng, by contrast, is heading for a 0.5 per cent decline
Elsewhere in the Asia-Pacific region the Japanese Topix closed on a gain of 0.3 per cent, while the Australian S&P/ASX-200 lost around 0.7 per cent
Wall Street had started lower on Monday as trader focused in on weak earnings, but improved housing data later in the day buoyed sentiment and both the Dow Jones and S&P-500 eked out marginal gains
Gold has fallen back after its recent rally, settling in Asian below $1,169 an ounce. Oil has also continued to fall slightly, with Brent crude below $49 a barrel in London

European markets were mixed on Monday, with traders unsure what to make of mixed Chinese economic data published overnight
According to official statistics, China grew at an annualised 6.9 per cent in the third quarter - below the target of seven per cent and the lowest rate since 2009. Industrial production was also shown to be falling
But this is significantly ahead of analyst expectations of 6.7 per cent growth and is in line with the expectations of the likes of the Interational Monetary Fund for a 'soft landing' for China
The FTSE-100 ended down 0.4 per cent to 6,352, having reversed an earlier modest rise. Helping sentiment at home are better-than-expected retail footfall numbers and data pointing to a strong rise in consumer confidence, but miners that are heavily dependent on China are being sold off
In wider Europe the German Dax and FTSE-Eurofirst-300 are both up, by 0.6 and 0.2 per cent respectively. The French Cac-40 ended virtually where it began
In the US, the view that rates are not going to rise is focusing trader attention on corporate earnings - which have largely disappointed. The Dow Jones and S&P-500 have opened 0.4 and 0.5 per cent lower
Asian markets were broadly flat after the China data release, as traders wait to see what if any reaction they might spark from policymakers.
In China itself the Shaghai Composite was down 0.1 per cent, while the Hong Kong Hang Seng ended marginally higher. In Japan the Topix ended 0.7 per cent lower
Oil is continuing to drift sideways and Brent crude is trading a little above $50 a barrel in London

European markets ended the week with a second consecutive day of gains, after yet more data appeared to add to the case for Fed policymakers to hold off on a rates hike in the US
Markets drifted a little from earlier gains, however, in a comparatively quiet trading session
Many fear the impact of the world's largest economy tightening borrowing costs, not least because of the impact on debt-laden emerging markets
Inflation data that showed a dip in prices in September and no movement year on year, plus weak results from the likes of Goldman Sachs and Walmart, have addded to recent poor jobs data
The FTSE-100 gained 0.6 per cent to 6,378. Oil majors BP and Shell made strong advances, helped by an increase in the oil price overnight
Elsewhere in Europe the German and French benchmarks, the Dax and Cac-40, closed up 0.4 and 0.6 per cent respectively, while the FTSE Eurofirst-300 was up 0.7 per cent
US markets are looking at a flat, marginally negative start, as investors refocus on shaky corporate earnings in the wake of a recent rally and in light of reduced rates hike chances
Asian stocks bounced overnight, with the Shanghai Composite and Hong Kong Hang Seng adding 1.6 and 0.8 per cent, while in Japan the Topix gained one per cent
US markets ended Thursday with gains, also spurred on by the fading risk of a rates rise. The Dow Jones and the S&P-500 closed 1.3 and 1.5 per cent higher

The FTSE-100 moved higher on Thursday, which some are ascribing to a growing sense that a US rates rise is not going to happen to in the near future.
A rise this year, which was still being predicted at the last Fed meeting, would be a real test of debt-laden emerging markets and the domestic recovery - and it could have global economic ramifications
It is seen as less likely after figures on Wednesday revealed weak US retail sales, suggesting consumer demand that has been driving growth of late is faltering amid a more cautious mood
The UK's blue-chip index closed 1.1 per cent higher on 6,339. Luxury fashion brand Burberry was the big mover but going in the opposite direction, losing 8.3 per cent after a weak trading update that warned on Chinese sales
Elsewhere in Europe the German Dax ended up 1.5 per cent, while the French Cac-40 and FTSE Eurofirst-300 were both up 1.4 per cent
In the US the Dow Jones and the S&P-500 have both opened higher, following Europe's lead, adding 0.4 per cent each in early trading
Asian markets also responded well to the weak American data, with China's Shanghai Composite rising 2.3 per cent and the Japanese Topix jumping 1.4 per cent
Wall Street had ended lower on Wednesday on the bearish retail data, with the Dow Jones and S&P-500 shedding 0.9 and 0.5 per cent respectively
The impression that a rate rise will not happen soon is hitting the dollar but boosting safe haven gold, which surged to $1,186 overnight and is well above a recent resistence level at a multi-month high
Oil is continuing to drift sideways in the midst of conflicting data on supply, with Brent crude still hovering above $49 a barrel in London

Markets recorded a third day of decline in Europe, with China again dominating the agenda after data pointed to continued producer price declines and shrinking demand
In the UK there has been some positive news in the form of a sharp fall in unemployment to a seven-year low. The employment rate is at an all-time high and wages are ticking up steadily at three per cent, too
The overall picture is mixed, however, with eurozone industrial activity falling, US retail sales also heading south and continued concern over emerging markets
Overall the FTSE-100 closed down 1.2 per cent to 6,270. Domino's Pizza bucked the selloff, reporting a 14 per cent plus rise in profit that has propelled shares more than 12.5 per cent higher
In wider Europe the German Dax was down 1.2 per cent, the French Cac-40 ended down 0.7 per cent and the FTSE Euroefirst-300 fell 0.8 per cent
US stocks have opened in mixed fashion, with the Dow Jones and S&P-500 down a marginal 0.2 and 0.1 per cent respectively
Asian markets struggled overnight, with China's Shanghai Composite shedding one per cent and the Japanese Topix losing closed to 2.2 per cent
Both the Dow Jones and S&P-500 followed Europe modestly lower on Tuesday amid the latest poor China news on imports, closing 0.3 and 0.7 per cent lower
Oil took a hit on Tuesday after the latest bearish forecasts from the international watchdog. Brent crude is currently hovering marginally above $49 in London

It was a familiar story on tuesday, with some gloomy stats on the Chinese economy - imports fell 20 per cent - prompting renewed fears among global exporters and dragging markets lower
In the UK investors are also reacting to news that inflation turned negative again in September on the back of falling commodity prices. That's added weight to arguments we're a long way from a rates rise and has caused the pound to dip, which could actually help those trying to sell goods abroad
The FTSE-100 continued to slide following its modest loss on Monday, shedding 0.5 per cent to 6,342, led lower by miners that are dependent on China. Glencore, the embattled behemoth that has slumped in recent months, was down 2.5 per cent
Elsewhere Royal Mail was also substantially lower, losing 4.2 per cent after the Government sold most of its remaining 14 per cent holding into the market, raising £591m. One per cent of shares are to be given to employees
Another company making the headlines on the FTSE is SABMiller, which has finally agreed to enter talks on an improved buyout offer from rival AB Inbev of around £44 a share. It ended up nine per cent
Elsewhere in Europe markets recorded more severe declines, with the German Dax down 0.9 per cent, the French Cac-40 down one per cent and the FTSE Eurofirst-100 down 0.9 per cent. All recovered slightly from early losses closer to two per cent
In the US both the Dow Jones and S&P-500 have opened 0.5 per cent lower after their thanksgiving holiday, again primarily in response to the weak Chinese figures
Despite the bad news in China, its benchmark Shaghai Composite edged up 0.2 per cent. This market is heavily influenced by public entities, however, and a truer impression of senitment is perhaps given by the 0.6 per cent fall on the Hong Kong Hang Seng
Oil recorded its largest single-day fall in more than a month on Monday, after Opec figures revealed the cartel has continued to pump at a very high rate. It's risen marginally in London and Brent crude is back above $50 a barrel

European markets ended broadly in the red on Monday, as investors consolidate positions and take a break following a strong recent rally and during a hiatus in economic data
The modest selloff brought to an end a strong rally that persisted for more than a week and had taken in markets around the world
The FTSE-100 closed 0.7 per cent lower at 6,371. The index had achieved eight consecutive positive closes and recorded its strongest weekly rise since 2011 last week
Glencore shares opened up 1.5 per cent on the news it is selling copper mines, but drifted back and ended on another sizeable loss of more than six per cent. Rolls Royce was hit by reports of a probe by European regulators into whether airlines are being forced into unfair maintenance contracts, losing 3.9 per cent
In Germany a spate of recent bad news could be set to continue this week, but the Dax index clung on to a modest gain of 0.2 per cent anyway. RWE, the energy company that owns Npower, has surged nine per cent on comments from the country's finance ministry that providers have set aside enough funds to cover nuclear decommissioning costs
Elsewhere in Europe the French Cac-40 and FTSE Eurofirst-300 were down 0.3 and 0.2 per cent respectively
Asian markets rallied overnight, with Chinese stocks rising to a seven-week high onthe back of comments from the finance ministry that the market correction of recent months is "almost over". The Shaghai Composite surged 3.3 per cent
Oil has drifted a little after another rise in Asia overnight. Brent crude is hovering around $52.50 in London

Global equities have been given a major boost by the release of the minutes from the latest Federal Reserve meeting in September at which its rate setting committee decided not to tighten policy
Aside from the "prudent to wait" message, key factors buoying confidence were a strong endorsement of the US economy and a sense that the Fed is on top of developments in emerging markets. Rate setters say rates will need to rise "soon" but they do not see a rush to do so until there is harder evidence of price pressures
European markets have bounced on Friday, with the FTSE-100 heading for its best week since 2011 and the highest close since August. It is 0.7 per cent higher at 6,416
The German Dax is one per cent higher, the French Cac-40 is 0.5 per cent up, and the FTSE Eurofirst-300 has gained 0.4 per cent
The US is more mixed in morning trading in New York, with both the Dow Jones and S&P-500 coming off of earlier highs and sitting 0.03 per cent and 0.2 per cent higher
Overnight Asian markets also recorded increases, as the possibility of a rate hike increasing the relative value of huge dollar-denominated debt piles receded
China's benchmark Shaghai Composite added 1.3 per cent, while in Japan the Topix added a substantial 2.3 per cent
US markets also took succour from the Fed minutes, a stark contrast to the nosedive that followed the original publication of the decision to hold in September. At that time the dovish sentiment was unexpected and there was a sense of the central bank being caught off guard by a slowdown in China
The Dow Jones added 0.8 per cent by the close on Thursday, while the S&P-500 added 0.9 per cent
Oil also rallied on the minutes, which hit the dollar and thus reduced the relative cost of the commodity. Brent crude is heading for $54 a barrel in London on Friday morning

European markets drifted lower in early trading, but recovered and ended with modest gains, as traders digested minutes of the latest Bank of England rates meeting
The Monetary Policy Committee held rates, as expected, but seemed to signal a slower path to a rates rise amid stubbornly low inflation. Crucially, the panel also endorsed the IMF view that China's slowdown is not as bad as expected and will not have a significant impact on the UK
The FTSE-100 was buoyed and swung into a moderate advance of 0.6 per cent to 6,375 - a four-week high
In Europe, latest data show German exports fell more than five per cent in August, adding to the sense that the eurzone's powerhouse economy is being hit by a slowdown in emerging markets after reports this week showed falling industrial output and factory orders
The German Dax eked out a 0.2 per cent gain, the same as the French Cac-40. The wider FTSE Eurofirst-300 grew by a slightly higher 0.3 per cent
In the US traders were also awaiting the latest minutes from the Fed's September meeting, at which it also decided to hold rates. Traders will be looking for signs of confidence or otherwise over the emerging situation in China and the domestic recovery
Markets have opened marginally lower ahead of the publication, with the Dow Jones down 0.2 per cent, while the S&P-500 is off 0.3 per cent
Overnight China's benchmark Shaghai Composite ended three per cent higher, after policymakers assured on the recovery and dismissed claims it is set for a hard landing
Elsewhere the Japanese Topix closed down 0.8 per cent, while the Hong Kong Hang Seng finished 0.9 per cent lower
US stocks had closed higher on Wednesday, with the Dow Jones adding 0.7 per cent and the S&P-500 adding 0.8 per cent
Oil softened on Wednesday but is heading up again on Thursday. Brent crude is back above $52 in London

European shares shrugged off renewed concerns over global economic growth to add to a proglonged rally that set in last week, although stocks did soften towards the close
The IMF has issued a warning that a slowdown in key emerging markets may lead to economic stagnation in developed economies. Crucially, however, it left its China forecast unchanged at 6.8 per cent growth for this year
The FTSE-100 iended with the fifth positive finish of its recent surge, helped by positive analyst comments on the powerful mining sector. The index rose 0.2 per cent to 6,336
Tesco did well after a poor start, as the market digested half-year results which showed profits were 55 per cent lower than last year but that also highlighted increasing footfall and purchases volumes. Britain's largest supermarket gained 2.5 per cent
The German Dax ended up 0.7 per cent, even despite latest data pointing to a slump in manufacturing in the country. Industrial output fell 1.2 per cent, against a consensus forecast of a 0.2 per cent rise
Elsewhere the French Cac-40 rose 0.1 per cent and the wider FTSE Eurofirst-300 was also up 0.1 per cent, both of them adding to a four-day upwards move
US markets are also joining in the gains after a mixed finish on Tuesday, with the Dow Jones and S&P-500 adding 0.8 per cent in early trading
Asian shares werew solid overnight, with China's benchmark Shanghai Composite adding 0.5 per cent and Japan's Topix gaining 1.2 per cent
Oil is cointinuing its better run and Brent Crude is up above $52 in London trading, while gold remains at a mid-range level and slightly down at $1,147, below its summer high but above its recent lows amid ongoing debates over rates

European markets rose in early trading on Friday, ahead of the release of non-farms payroll numbers in the US that were expected to show a surge in new job creation to more than 200,000 for September, as well as a rise in wage growth
In the event, however, the data disappointed - badly. Only 142,000 jobs were created and wages failed to move from August. Labour force participation slipped and is at levels last seen in the 1970s
The data were being watched intently by those attempting to call when the Fed will vote to raise interest rates. The weak numbers have pushed out expectations to well into next year - boosting commodities such as gold and hitting equities
The FTSE-100 has given up its earlier lead and is now 0.1 per cent lower on 6,064. If it had gained today it would have closed three consecutive sessions in the black and ended the week slightly up from where it started
The turnaround are being replicated on continential markets that ended lower yesterday after an afternoon nosedive. The German Dax is down 0.9 per cent, the French Cac-40 has lost 0.8 per cent and the FTSE Eurofirst-300 has shed 0.9 per cent
In the US markets had been set to open higher but then they turned sharply on the release. Both the Dow Jones and the S&P-500 have given up 1.4 per cent already in early exchanges
Asian markets had a broadly positive session overnight, with the Chinese Shanghai Composite ending up 0.5 per cent and Japan's Topix up 0.2 per cent. The Hang Seng returned from a break and is set to close more thab three per cent up
US markets were mixed on Thursday, with the Dow Jones shedding a modest 0.1 per cent and the S&P-500 adding an equally insubstantial 0.2 per cent
Brent crude oil fell back again on Thursday and is currently slightly above $47 a barrel. Gold had slumped on the latest rate rise speculation but has surged this afternoon, rising above $1,134

The FTSE-100 extended gains into a second day, after a strong bounce to end September - and what the records will show was a torrid third quarter - on Wednesday
But early strong gains receded later on amid mixed economic data, after manufacturers revealed they made the first net job cuts since 2013 amid a slowdown in activity, while official statistics show UK productivity continuing to pick up
The benchmark index ended up around 0.2 per cent at 6,072, down from an earlier high. Embattled Glencore had risen four per cent and was closing in on where it started the week, but swung into the red in the afternoon
Across Europe there was also a substantial reversal from earlier highs, after latest data showed manufacturing activity in the eurozone at five-month lows (although still in modest expansion)
The German Dax ended down 1.6 per cent, while the French Cac-40 close 0.5 per cent lower and the FTSE Eurofirst-300 shed 0.4 per cent
The catalyst for initial rises in most areas was Chinese manufacturing data, with the official PMI published overnight showing recent contraction might be bottoming out
The country's benchmark Shanghai Composite gained a modest 0.5 per cent on Wednesday, while the Hong Kong Hang Seng jumped 1.4 per cent. In Japan the Topix had another strong day on the back of its recent slump, surging 2.2 per cent
In the US the Dow Jones and the S&P-500 also ended the quarter strongly on Wednesday, rising 1.5 and 1.9 per cent respectively
Futures currently show the US benchmarks opening up again on Thursday, with the Dow Jones and S&P-500 set to open 0.3 and 0.2 per cent higher after another round of positive jobs data
A strong drawdown at a key delivery point has boosted the price of oil, but not much. Brent crude is still trading around $49 in London

The FTSE-100 bounced back strongly after the losses of recent days, as traders bet the latest bout of selling might have been overdone. It ended up 2.6 per cent to 6,062
If the story of down-and-rebound sounds familiar, one sector that led the rise will surprise. Supermarkets jumped, led by Sainsbury's which reported upbeat earnings and bounced 13 per cent
Wider European stocks are also rallying after official figures showed the eurzone was back in deflation, which could trigger further central bank stimulus
Germany's Dax is up 2.2 per cent, France's Cac-40 is up 2.6 per cent and the FTSE Eurofirst-300 is up 2.6 per cent
Even a positive day today will not make up for what has been a torrid third quarter, the worst for markets in Europe since 2011
US markets are set to end the quarter on a high as well, with the Dow Jones on a 1.5 per cent and the S&P-500 on a 1.6 per cent gain
Asian stocks have also been through the wringer and, despite a modest rise overnight, China's Shanghai Composite registered a staggering 26 per cent loss in September
Japanese markets similarly rose overnight after an awful month, with the Topix rallying some 2.6 per cent
US markets had set the upwards move in motion on Tuesday, with the Dow Jones and S&P-500 ending a mixed session on a high and closing up 0.3 and 0.1 per cent
Oil is still drifting, with Brent crude dropping back below $48 after latest US production figures showed another inventory build

European markets began Tuesday in the grip of another wave of selling, as strong declines on Monday added to fears that a slowdown in China is going to hit growth elsewhere
There was been no specific catalyst for the latest declines, which are an example of how brittle market confidence is given repeated warnings from economists and rate setters on the recovery
Indices have, however, recovered ground after a sharp fall on the open, as data shows business confidence in the eurozone at a four-year high
In the US, key benchmarks are actually slightly higher as data shows consumer confidence at a higher-than-expected level, adding to calls for a rates hike
The FTSE-100 closed down 0.8 per cent to 5,909, an improvement on earlier losses well in excess of one per cent. Mining companies and other industrials are continuing to struggle
One surprise riser is Glencore, which enjoyed a 17 per cent bounce after Monday's 30 per cent dive as analysts warn it is not being priced fairly. Citi even recommended the board take the company private
Across Europe the German Dax and French Cac-40 were down 0.4 and 0.3 per cent, while the FTSE Eurofirst-300 ended now just 0.3 per cent in the red. After Monday's steep falls all remain at relative lows
In the US the Dow Jones and S&P-500 have been volatile in early trading, but are currently around 0.6 per cent a little more than an hour after the open
Overnight Asian stocks endured a torrid session, with Japan's Nikkei shedding four per cent to an eight-month low and China's Shanghai Composite lossing more than two per cent again
US markets had started off fairly mixed on Monday, but the selling gathered pace through the afternoon as traders sought to shed risk, with the Dow Jones and S&P-500 down 1.9 and 2.6 per cent respectively
Commodities have been hit by the rout as traders bet on a fall in demand, with gold slumping around $20 on on Monday to $1,127 and oil falling back below $48

Yet more data pointing to a slowdown in China, this time showing a near-nine per cent fall in profits in the industrial sector, set a negative tone for the first trading day of the week
European shares are also being hit by the partial victory for Catalan independence parties in regional elections at the weekend, which could trigger a political crisis in fragile Spain
The FTSE-100 has extended earlier losses and is down 2.5 per cent to 5,959
Losses are being led by Glencore, which has down 29 per cent amid a fresh commodities selloff and on concerns that if price do not recover its debt pile will render the stock worthless
Declines are being registered across Europe, with the German Dax down 2.1 per cent and the French Cac-40 down 2.8 per cent. The wider FTSE Eurofirst-300 is down 2.2 per cent
US markets have followed Europe lower but are mixed in early trading, with the Dow Jones shedding one per cent and the S&P-500 down 1.3 per cent
Overnight China's Shanghai Composite actually ended marginally up by 0.3 per cent, having been headed for a decline until near the close
But wider Asian markets posted sizeable drops, with Japan's Topix down more than one per cent and Singapore's benchmark Strait Times 1.4 per cent lower
US markets ended last week in mixed fashion, with the Dow Jones holding on to a 0.7 per cent gain while the S&P-500 fell to a marginal decline
Oil is still struggling amid the latest dour forecasts, with Brent crude sitting slightly below $48 a barrel in London

European markets are setting out to the end the week on a high, although even after strong openings they remain on course to record a loss for a week dominated by the fallout from the Volkswagen scandal
The FTSE-100 opened strongly and extended gains, ending 2.5 per cent higher on 6,105 on the back of more positive comments from Federal Reserve chair Janet Yellen on a 2015 US rate rise
Miners are on the up after a torrid few sessions, but Glencore is struggling again, giving up an earlier five per cent surge to trade in the red at a lowly 97p
Across the rest of the continent, the German Dax and FTSE Eurofirst-300 finished up 2.8 per cent, while the French Cac-40 was up 3.1 per cent
In the US revised data showing the economy grew at close to four per cent in the second quarter, coupled with Yellen's more positive comments, have boosted stocks
The Dow Jones is up 1.2 per cent to 16,390, while the S&P-500 is up 0.6 to 1,943. Both are off earlier highs at the open.
Asian stocks had a mixed session overnight, with China growth worries leaving the country's benchmark Shanghai Composite 1.6 per cent lower, but the Hong Kong Hang Seng has eked out a 0.9 per cent gain and Japan's Topix rose 1.9 per cent
US markets had turned negative at the end of their session, after Fed chair Janet Yellen indicated the central bank would raise interest rates this year.
Oil is still struggling and while it is up in London, Brent crude remains close to $48 a barrel

The FTSE-100 lost ground again in a volatile week, dipping back below 6,000 after a slump across the mining sector. Glencore in particular lost 9.6 per cent to yet another record low
Negative sentiment was present across the continent, with the German Dax and French Cac-40 shedding 1.9 per cent, while the wider FTSE Eurofirst-300 shed 2.1 per cent
This came after Asian markets took a major hit overnight, as continued worries over Chinese growth left major indices across the region nursing sizeable losses
China's own Shanghai Composite lost 2.2 per cent, while the Hong Kong Hang Seng lost 2.3 per cent. In Japan the Topix continued a poor run and ended 2.4 per cent lower
A weak afternoon in the US had begun the bearish run, with the S&P-500 and Dow Jones giving up earlier gains to record losses of 0.2 and 0.3 per cent respectively

European markets have bounced back after opening down, on the back of a torrid session on Tuesday during which the FTSE-100 hit its lowest level since the recent Black Monday rout
Bargain hunters and steadier oil prices buoyed the FTSE-100, which rose a little less than two per cent, paring losses in the previous session
Energy companies did well as the oil price settles above $49, with BP adding 1.5 per cent. British Airways owner IAG is leading the way with a 4.9 per cent surge after it was upgraded by Morgan Stanley
Germany's Dax was up in a volatile session typified by wild swings for scandal-hit Volkswagen, which was down seven per cent and is now up eight per cent. The index was 0.9 per cent higher on 9,654
France's Cac-40 and the FTSE Eurofirst-300 gained 0.6 and 0.5 per cent respectively, after fresh data suggested the Eurozone recovery remains stable in September and the third quarter as a whole
In the US confidence is brittle and the Dow Jones and the S&P-500 followed Europe lower on Tuesday, closing 1.1 and 1.2 per cent down respectively
At the start of Wednesday trading, the benchmarks are enjoying mixed fortunes, with the Dow Jones down 0.3 per cent with the S&P has gained 0.2 per cent
Asian markets all fell sharply overnight, after new data showed Chinese manufacturing output hitting a six-low low. The news has hit companies in Europe with emerging market exposure
China's benchmark Shaghai Composite lost 2.2 per cent, while Japanese investors continued to flee equities and sold off the Topix by two per cent
Oil is recovering slightly on Wednesday, with Brent slightly above $49 in London

European markets turned sharply negative on Tuesday, continuing a downward trend that had set in during Monday afternoon
Volkswagon plummeted again, after it was announced it would set aside €6.5bn - but that eventual criminal fines could be as much as $18bn
The FTSE-100 ended down 2.8 per cent to 5,936, having begun to dive around mid-morning following a muted open
The index is also being dragged down by miners after the latest price falls, with Glencore falling 11 per cent to a new record low of 106p
Germany's Dax was down 3.8 per cent, the French Cac-40 was down 3.4 per cent and the wider FTSE Eurofirst-300 was 3.3 per cent lower
The car sector is struggling, with Daimler and BMW tumbling in Germany and Peugeot and Renault following suit in France, after calls for a Europe-wide investigation into emissions tests
US stocks have joined the rout after they opened on Tuesday, falling in excess of 1.5 per cent brittle confidence following the Fed's bearish comments is again exposed
The Dow Jones is down 1.6 per cent to 16,243, while the S&P-500 is down 1.5 per cent to 1,937
Asian markets had earlier risen, taking their lead from a rally on Wall Street, while Japanese indices took a breather from their recent down trend during a one-day holiday
A calmer Chinese session again saw the Shaghai Composite gain ground, up around 0.9 per cent, while the Hang Seng gained 0.7 per cent
The Dow Jones on Monday gained 0.8 per cent to 16,510, while the S&P-500 enjoyed a bounce of 0.5 per cent to 1,967
Oil continues to tread water and, after shallow gains on Monday, Brent crude back in the red and hovering around $48 a barrel a London

European bourses have started the week in a mixed fashion, but they're broadly shrugging off last week's concerns over the global economy to record an advance for the day
Syriza's more-decisive-than-expected victory in Greek elections at the weekend has pushed the euro crisis to the sidelines
US markets are also up in morning trading, bouncing back after Friday's selloff as investors settle following the Federal Reserve's dovish rates decision last week
Asia shares continued to struggle in their first trading session of the week, as the fallout from the Fed's very negative forecast on China growth continues to impact investor confidence
The FTSE-100 ended up around 0.1 per cent higher on 6,109 on Monday, down from an earlier high when it was up more than one per cent
One of the biggest movers has been RSA, which was down 21 per cent after Zurich pulled out of buyout talks
Germany's Dax turned around earlier losses to end up 0.3 per cent despite hefty losses at Volkswagon, which is accused of supplying false emissions data in the US
France's Cac-40 was 1.1 per cent higher and the wider FTSE Eurofirst-300 was up one per cent, reflecting the generally calmer mood in Europe
In America the Dow Jones started up around one per cent and is currently sitting on a gain of 0.8 per cent, while the S&P-500 is showing a 1.1 per cent advance
In Asia China's Shaghai Composite continued to recovery from its battering at the beginning of last week as closed 1.9 per cent higher, while the Hang Seng ended 0.8 per cent lower and Japan's Topix lost 1.9 per cent
Oil continues to struggle after producers issued another warning on projects, but it is tracking the widewr rise and is trading around $48.50 in London

European and US marketslost ground on Friday, after a mixed Asian session and a volatile afternoon finish in the US on the back of the US decision not to raise interest rates
The decision had been largely expected, but the explictly dovish sentiments accompanying the decision citing concerns over China were not and have rattled already brittle investor confidence
As a result the expected bounce from the US keeping monetary policy loose largely dissipated, with even gold only eking out a modest gain
The FTSE-100 ended down 1.3 per cent on 6,104. It was also hurt by separate figures showing UK productivity weakening further, but has fallen less than wider European bourses, which are digesting a surge in the euro that will hit exporters
The German Dax was down 3.1 per cent and the French benchmark Cac-40 was down 2.6 per cent, while the FTSE Eurofirst-300 was down 1.9 per cent
In the US investors have also continued a selloff that set in during a volatile end to Thursday. The Dow Jones is down 1.2 per cent and the S&P-500 down 1.1 per cent in morning trading
Asian markets were mostly higher in their final session of the week, with China's Shanghai Composite up 0.4 per cent and the Hang Seng gaining 0.3 per cent. Japan's Topix remained weak, however, shedding close to two per cent
In the US a jump of around one per cent after the Fed announcement was erased and both the Dow Jones and S&P-500 closed 0.3 per cent and 0.4 per cent lower respectively
Oil has failed to take much succour from the Fed hold, trading marginally in the red and below $49 in London

European markets were subdued on Thursday, as caution set in following a sizeable advance on Wednesday - and ahead of the crucial rates decision in the US
US markets were also very quiet in morning trading, as traders held their breath before the vote was announced at 7pm
Latest figures put jobless claims in the US at their lowest in two months, but weak inflation and global economic concerns were still expect the convince rate setters to hold
Asian markets outside of China enjoyed a strong session as traders bet on no rise. A decision to increase would have profound implications for debt-laden emerging markets
This followed US markets closing markedly, if not spectactularly, in the black on Wednesday, as a fall in inflation counted further against the case for a hike
The FTSE-100 closed down 0.7 per cent at 6,187, with Hargreaves Lansdown, Morrisons and Lloyds among the bigger fallers as the market consolidates prevailing negative sentiment
In wider Europe the German Dax ended virtually unchanged, the French Cac-40 was up 0.2 per cent and the FTSE Eurofirst-300 was down 0.2 per cent
It's the calm before the storm in the US, where the Dow Jones and S&P-500 are both also flat. The session will really get going after the 2pm local time Fed announcement
In China the Shanghai Composite shed 2.1 per cent, coming off strong gains in the two previous sessions, which the Nikkei gained a substantial 1.4 per cent
The Dow Jones and the S&P-500 ended 0.8 per cent and 0.9 per cent higher respectively, in a thin trading session ahead of today's announcement
Commodities rallied on the 'Fed hold' view, with Gold recording its biggest one day advance in a month yesterday, but are now also treading water, with Brent crude oil back around $49

The FTSE-100 surged higher on Wednesday, as the City reacts to data that showed employment up, the unemployment rate steady and wages growing at the fastest pace since October 2009
At 6,229, the index is up 1.5 per cent. The pound also rose strongly as traders interpret the news as bolstering the case for a rate rise early next year
Glencore, the embattled miner and commodities trader, ended up close to four per cent after it confirmed it had raised around £1.6bn as part of its plan to reduce debt
Wider Europe also went higher on the back of data showing an unexpected fall in inflation, which many hope will prompt central bank stimulus, but markets are down from earlier highs
Germany's Dax is up 0.4 per cent, France's Cac-40 is up 1.7 per cent and the FTSE Eurofirst-300 is up 1.6 per cent
US stocks were virtually flat, as traders await news on a rate rise. New data also showed an inflation fall into negative territory, which might yet tip the balance to a hold
The S&P-500 is on a small gain of 0.2 per cent to 1,982, while the Dow Jones is up 0.1 per cent to 16,611
In China the Shanghai bounced back strongly overnight following two days of losses and close up 4.9 per cent, although whether this reflects intervention or sentiment improvement is unclear
Asian bourses followed this lead, with Hong Kong's Hang Seng rising 2.7 per cent and Japan's Topix up 0.7 per cent, even despite a subdued mood after the Bank of Japan refused a fresh capital injection
US markets rose on Tuesday as traders continue to bet the Fed will hold, with the S&P-500 up 1.3 per cent and the Dow Jones 1.4 per cent higher
Oil has also rallied in line with the wider recovery, but Brent remains low at a little below $49 a barrel in London

European markets finished up for the day, after some positive economic data and the latest indication UK rate rises might be delayed prompted a rally after a dip this morning
US markets also helped to boost sentiment and are trading higher, as fresh economic data similarly persuades investors rates will be kept on hold. Gains are muted as investors wait for the Fed decision later this week
The FTSE-100 pared earlier losses in the wake of the latest slump in China and closed higher for the day in the wake of the latest inflation figures. At 6,138 the index was up 0.9 per cent
Glencore had again led the downwards move and was six per cent amid a broader commodities selloff, but a sector-wide recovery has brought it back to parity. Kingfisher, the owner of B&Q, is among the worst performers and down 2.5 per cent after it posted a slight fall in profits
UK investors reacted to new inflation data showing prices did not rise in August, continuing a stagnation that set in at the turn of the year and boosting those who are hoping the Bank of England will delay a rates rise
In wider Europe indices were up, with the German Dax up 0.6 per cent, French Cac-40 gaining 1.1 per cent and the FTSE Eurofirst-300 up 0.9 per cent
A confidence gauge published in the morning suggests investors and economists are more pessimistic about the German economy, which could be weighing on sentiment in the eurzone's dominant market
Data also showed consumer inflation in Europe bounced back following a lacklustre July, while jobs growth is also positive, with 22 European countries seeing unemployment fall in the second quarter
In the US the Dow Jones and S&P-500 are up around 0.3 per cent, after data showed retail sales underperformed expectations in July and that industrial production fell slightly
Overnight Chinese markets fell again after a slew of fresh forecasts for growth underwhelmed. The Shanghai Composite lost 3.5 per cent and is now seven per cent lower for the year
Wider Asian markets also mostly fell, with statements indicating no further stimulus from the Bank of Japan into its sluggish economy weighing on sentiment. The Topix was marginally in the red, while Hong Kong’s Hang Seng lost 0.4 per cent
Oil is continuing to struggle and is trading down below $46.50 a barrel in London, leading back towards summer lows

European bourses made a positive start to the first trading day of the week, but fell into the red in afternoon trading as worries persisted over growth in China
Trading volumes were reported to be low as investors await the critical and unpredictable interest rate decision from the Federal Reserve this week, with lingering speculation of a rise weighing slightly on sentiment
US markets opened lower as sentiment turned through the day, but were paring losses and heading for parity in a becalmed session. Both main indices were earlier projecting to continue Friday's gains and begin higher
The FTSE-100 ended down 0.5 per cent to 6,085, after a survey from BDO has suggested UK business confidence is falling as manufacturers struggle to combat a strong pound and concerns over the global economy
Elsewhere Germany’s Dax rose in late afternoon trading and finished with a modest gain of 0.1 per cent, while France’s Cac-40 closed down 0.7 per cent and the FTSE Eurofirst-300 was up 0.3 per cent
This is despite data showing eurozone manufacturing activity beat expectations in the second quarter - although it still remains some 11 per cent down from a pre-crisis peak
The Dow Jones made back most of its earlier deficit and was now down just 0.1 per cent, with the S&P-500 still sitting on a 0.4 per cent decline.
Latest official figures published in China overnight showed factory output significantly underperformed expectations with a 6.1 per cent rise, renewing fears over a slowdown in growth
The benchmark Shanghai Composite tumbled in the final hour of a day of reduced trading volumes, eventually closing 2.9 per cent lower – the worst one-day fall in several weeks
Japan’s Nikkei also recorded a sizeable fall of 1.6 per cent, amid smaller declines across Asian indices due to worries over China and the impact on emerging markets of a potential Fed rate hike
Commodities are also suffering in the wake of the China data, with Brent crude oil back in the red and approaching $47 a barrel in London

European markets ended in the red on Friday, in the wake of bearish comments from the European Central Bank of eurozone jobs growth and amid rising expectations rates in the US and UK will soon rise
According to the Bank of England, public expectations of a rates rise in the next year at close to 50 per cent, up from around athird in May. Investors fear the wider impact, while an increase in rates could also squeeze dividend yields
UK traders were also digesting the latest set of data pointing to a slowdown in housebuilding activity, which is being seen as negative not just for those struggling to buy a house but also on industrial performance
In the US positive jobs data renewed speculation the Fed might act when it meets next week, which is adding to a cautious end of the week mood for stocks
Markets were, though, relatively stable after modest gains in the US on Wednesday and a mixed session in Asian overnight, as traders weigh up the prospect of a US rate rise next week
The FTSE-100 was down 0.6 per cent to 6,118. Elsewhere Germany’s Dax lost 0.9 per cent to 10,138, France’s Cac-40 was off one per cent to 4,556, and the FTSE Eurofirst-300 shed one per cent to 1,403
Across the pond, the Dow Jones is down 0.5 per cent to 16,256, while the S&P-500 has lost 0.4 per cent to 1,943 in morning trading
In Asia China’s Shanghai Composite bucked a trend of wild recent swings to stay relatively flat, while the Hong Kong Hang Seng drifted down 0.2 per cent. Japanese markets were lower but have banked sizeable gains this week
This came after yet another strong report on the US labour market fed into improved investor sentiment and stocks rose. The Dow Jones and the S&P-500 both added 0.5 per cent
Oil is moving slightly lower in London and Brent is below $48 a barrel, after the latest set of bearish forecasts from Goldman Sachs suggested the international benchmark will average less than $50 throughout 2016

The FTSE-100 recorded a significant loss in the wake of hints from the Bank of England's rate setting Monetary Policy Committee that its path to a hike remains on course
After latest rates decision minutes were published the pound, which has fallen for five consecutive weeks against the euro, rose against both its continental peer and the dollar
US markets had also opened marginally lower, but recovered ground and were slightly in the black after another set of positive data pointed to a strong labour market
European markets had opened in the red on Thursday, continuing the downward movement that set in later on Wednesday, as fears over China return to haunt markets
Overnight data revealed Chinese manufacturers are charging much less than they were a year ago – prices recorded the biggest fall in six years – stoking fears of deflation
The FTSE-100 was led lower by miners that are dependent on China for business, with BHP Billiton and Glencore both significant down. The index ended 1.2 per cent down on 6,156
There was also been a flurry of retail results: Morrisons eroded Wednesday’s gain after a fresh profit drop; Dixons Carphone was up strongly on strong earnings; and Home Retail Group splunged after disappointing sales at Argos
Germany’s Dax and France’s Cac-40 are 0.9 and 1.5 per cent down respectively – the latter’s sharper fall reflecting its stronger previous close – while the FTSE Eurofist-300 is down 1.4 per cent
In the US the Dow Jones is currently trading up 0.6 per cent to 16,357, while the S&P-500 is up 0.5 per cent for the day on 1,951
In Asia overnight the mood turned sour after a surge in the previous session. China’s Shanghai Composite shed 1.5 per cent, while Japan’s Topix lost 1.9 per cent
US markets had set the downward trajectory in motion after falling to a sizeable loss that reversed a strong rise on the open in New York. The Dow Jones and S&P-500 ended 1.4 per cent and 1.5 per cent lower respectively
Oil prices also suffered on the China news and, even in spite of a moderate uptick in London, remain below $49

European markets ended with a significantly positive close for a second consecutive session, but a flurry of weak economic data, in particular on the UK, dragged markets back from earlier highs
US markets were also sitting on gains, but a report emphasising the health of its employment market and giving rise to speculation on a rates rise has checked investor enthusiasm and they were heading for parity in morning trading
An earlier surge was driven by a strong rally on Tuesday in the US, which was replicated in Asia overnight after China signalled it would intervene to prevent a "hard landing" for its economy
The FTSE closed 1.4 per cent higher at 6,229, led by miners who would be among the biggest beneficiaries if China acts to shore up demand in its economy
This is despite the release of data showing a big drop in exports and manufacturing output in July, as the UK's trade gap widened after falling in June
Germany’s Dax was up 0.3 per cent to 10,303, while France’s Cac-40 had bounced 1.4 per cent to 4,665. The wider FTSE Eurofirst-300 is up 1.4 per cent to 1,434
The Dow Jones was trading flat at 10am ET and the S&P-500 was up a marginal 0.2 per cent. They had opened around one per cent higher
US markets had taken a lead from Europe and rallied on the return from their Labour Day break on Tuesday, with the S&P-500 breaking out of correction territory with a rise of 2.5 per cent
Overnight the strong statement from China caused markets to move positively, with the benchmark Shanghai Composite ending strongly again to close 2.3 per cent higher
Japan’s markets, among the worst performers since China’s currency devaluation two weeks ago that sparked recent routs, soared, helped by comments from prime minister Shinzo Abe that the government may inject further stimulus after the economy shrank again in the second quarter
The Nikkei rose close to eight per cent, while the Topix added 6.4 per cent
Oil had been trading up, but as another report is digested that lays bare the hit from the price collapse it has edged back into the red. Brent crude is now below $49 a barrel in London

European and US markets have shrugged off some poor data in Asia overnight, as strong economic data have offset negative sentiment from a downbeat Chinese growth forecast on Monday
US markets have bounced on the open following the Labor Day weekend, with the S&P-500 breaking back out of correction territory following the recent China-inspired rout
In Europe revised data show growth in the eurozone was higher than thought in the second quarter at 0.4 per cent, while there have also been positive figures on German exports and the French economy
The FTSE-100 closed with a gain of 1.2 per cent to 6,146, as the market cools a little leading into the latter stages of trading following an earlier surge
Leading the way is insurer Amlin, which was up 33 per cent on rumours of a takeover by Japanese rival Mitsui Sumitomo. The deal is also pushing up the pound against the yen
Germany’s Dax is 1.6 per cent higher at 10,271, driven in part by a more settled sentiment over export and import numbers that have set new records
France’s Cac-40 is up 1.1 per cent per cent to 4,598, like the FTSE off its earlier peak. The index is benefitting from the wider upwards move and also a latest growth forecast for France which has held the 0.3 per cent third quarter estimate
In Asia there was continued concern over China after data showed imports fell 14 per cent and authorities lowered the growth forecast, while in Japan new data revealed the economy shrank in the second quarter
China’s benchmark Shaghai Composite was in the red heading into the final 30 minutes of trading, but rose strongly as the seesion came to a close – possibly due to government intervention – and closed up 2.9 per cent
Japan’s Nikkei on the other hand slumped 2.6 per cent, meaning the index has now wiped out all of the gains it had made so far this year
Brent crude has gained slightly but continues to trade just below $49 a barrel in London

European markets opened higher on Monday, as a calmer overnight trade in Asia appears to have settled investor nerves and the dust settles on that US jobs report on Friday
But early investor enthusiasm waned, in the UK as a result of new data which revealed UK exports have slumped to a six-year low
Elsewhere in Europe a survey put consumer confidence in the eurozone at its lowest for seven months, while German manufacturing showed modest growth thart undershot consensus forecasts
This adds to concern over the effects of a slowdown in China, which was last week revealed to have hit exports in the eurozone's production powerhouse of Germany
Having bounced 1.3 per cent earlier the FTSE-100 closed 0.5 per cent higher for the day on 6,074. This came after manufacturing body EEF cited weakening exports and it halved its forecast for manufacturing activity this year to 0.7 per cent
Glencore led the upward move. Having been initially 12 per cent up after announcing a $10bn debt reduction, it fell back but steadily built momentum through the afternoon, showing a rise of seven per cent for the day
Associated British Foods was the worst performer and had showed a 1.8 per cent decline, although it has pared losses to end with a one per cent deficit. It has been hit by falling sugar prices, but trading at its clothes business Primark was up
Germany’s Dax is up 0.7 per cent to 10,107, while France’s Cac-40 is up 0.6 per cent to 4,550. The wider FTSE Eurofirst 300 has gained 0.5 per cent to 1,399
US markets were closed for the Labour Day public holiday
Chinese markets reopened and promptly fell, but after comments from China’s central bank that have convinced some investors the correction is “almost over” the drop was less severe than some had forecast
The benchmark Shanghai Composite closed down 2.6 per cent to 3,078. Elsewhere in Asia Hong Kong’s Hang Seng close down 0.4 per cent, while Japan’s Topix eked out a small rise of 0.1 per cent
Oil has dipped below $50 again and Brent crude is now trading at less than $49 a barrel in London after falling 1.7 per cent

Markets slumped in the wake of a new report on US employment, which presented a mixed picture on the health of the world's largest economy and left a dilemma for Federal Reserve ratesetters when they meet this month
US stocks have continued the downward trend that set in during Thursday afternoon and have opened more than one per cent lower, while Europe moved as much as three per cent into the red before paring losses
Non-farms payroll data revealed disappointing new jobs growth in August of 173,000 (vs. 220,000 expected), but revisions to past data put unemployment at a seven-year low of 5.1 per cent. Wage growth beat expectations, too
The Dow Jones was briefly down 225 points at the open and is now tracking 200 points, or 1.3 per cent, lower 16,171. The S&P-500 is 1.4 per cent off at the open on 1,925
The FTSE-100 closed down 2.4 per cent at 6,040, after newly published figures revealed high street sales slumped 4.3% in August and have fallen for four consecutive months for the first time since 2009
Germany’s Dax and France’s Cac-40 are down 2.7 per cent and 2.8 per cent respectively, fuelled in part by weak manufacturing data in Germany that far undershot expectations
US stocks ended in the black on Thursday, but gave up most of their early gains as the S&P-500 and Dow Jones ended just 0.1 per cent higher on 1,951 and 16,375 respectively
Asian stocks finished in the red and completed a seventh consecutive week of decline, with Japan’s Nikkei particularly hard hit after weak domestic wages data, shedding 2.2 per cent to a seven-month low of 17,792

European markets finished strongly higher on the back of strong hints from European Central Bank president Mario Draghi that it could be set to inject a fresh wave of stimulus to prevent the eurozone recovery being derailed
The FTSE-100 showed a steady gain for the day, but is slightly lagging its continental peers after the release of data pointing to slower UK economic growth in the third quarter
US markets also started out bu continuing a strong rally that set in during the previous session, after jobless claims figures continued to show a healthy employment market
Draghi lowered growth and inflation forecasts and intimated its bond-buying programme may be extended. He also upped the limits on individual asset purchases under the scheme, countering fears it may run out of bonds to buy
Germany's Dax led the field, helped by a steep fall in the euro this afternoon that will be a boost to its powerhouse export sector. The index ended up 2.7 per cent at 10,318
Frances Cac-40 was up around 2.2 per cent to 4,454; and the FTSE Eurofirst-300 rallied 2.4 per cent to 1,429.
The FTSE-100 rose 1.8 per cent up at 6,194, led by embattled miner Glencore, boosted seven per cent by bargain hunting buyers, and Morrisons, up five per cent on takeover rumours
Both the S&P-500 and Dow Jones are up markedly after a strong Wednesday close, adding a little over one per cent each to 1,969 and 16,529 respectively
Asian indices were calmer overnight on the first day of a four-day break for volatile Chinese markets, wirth Japan’s Topix closing 0.6 per cent up
Oil has steadied after recent highly volatile trading sessions and Brent crude is tracking the upwards move in equities at around $52 a barrel. It had moved slightly lower in London this morning

European indices closed with steady, rather than stellar gains, as declining commodities sentiment took the shine off an afternoon rally
The FTSE-100 finished up around 0.6 per cent for the day to 6,095, having earlier risen to a gain of approaching 1.5 per cent
US markets have also came off their top levels after a strong open, with the S&P-500 and Dow Jones up by around 0.6 per cent and one per cent respectively, but both were moving slightly higher again
Oil and gas companies had led FTSE lower as oil prices plunged after a strong rally came to an abrupt end on Tuesday, with Glencore again among the worst performers
Oil prices, which had steadied, took a further hit after the US energy watchdog published a report showing a five-month high rise in reserves stockpiles of 4.7 million barrels. Brent was more than two per cent lower at $48.52
US sentiment was buoyed a revision to second quarter data that put economic productivity up 3.3 per cent, while labour costs fell. This is being weighed against jobs data which show US firms are hiring fewer people than a year ago
Main markets in Germany and France have also moved back into the black after an earlier rise and fall and are sitting on gains of 0.6 per cent. The FTSE Eurofirst wqas up 0.5 per cent up at 1,399
European markets all opened in the black, with the FTSE-100 sitting on a 0.6 per cent gain shortly after the open
This came after a volatile session in Asia, where China's benchmark Shanghai Composite initially shed 4.5 per cent in the wake of weak manufacturing data before paring losses. It closed 0.2 per cent lower at 3,160
Global markets had taken a hit on Tuesday, with the S&P-500 and Dow Jones in the US shedding three per cent and 2.8 per cent respectively
The trigger had been a purchasing managers’ index pointing to production contraction in China, in the latest sign that the country's economy is slowing faster than thought

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