Economics / Markets

London's leading share index edged higher in early morning trading, after disappointing results from Royal Dutch Shell yesterday dragged the FTSE down to close below 6,000.

Sterling rose to a fresh three-month high versus the dollar this morning after UK services data came in above expectations.

London's leading share index fell below 6,000 points in early morning trading, dragged down by a flat finish in US markets and continuing turmoil in Egypt.

Britain could suffer a jobless recovery like the one currently engulfing the US, an Institute for Fiscal Studies' (IFS) economist warns.

The FTSE has broken through 6,000 this morning, following a strong performance from the US with the Dow Jones soaring to a two year high.

UPDATE: The UK index of 100 leading stocks had jumped 58.87 points to 5921.81 by 2pm, an increase of 1% led by rising commodity prices as civil unrest in Egypt continues.

A leading economic think-tank today urged George Osborne to delay the dramatic public sector cuts which underpin his economic policies, and to u-turn on them completely if the economy falters again.

Eurozone inflation rose to a higher-than-expected 2.4% in January.

Moody's has cut Egypt's debt rating one notch, citing the ongoing political fallout.

The FTSE 100 has started the week in negative territory as the crisis in Egypt continues to unsettle investors.