Economics / Markets

The index of 100 leading shares has closed down on the day, with major insurers the biggest drag on markets.

Federal Reserve chairman Ben Bernanke has given his strongest signal yet that he will begin another round of quantative easing in the US, to try to acheive the economic "benefits" of the UK programme.

The government should commission a new assessment of the losses suffered by people who saved with Equitable Life, a committee of MPs has said.

The FTSE opened at 5,727 this morning, sliding 0.08% in early trading, although there was a raft of M&A activity among the UK's largest companies.

The Queen has canceled this year's Palace Christmas party in a show of "restraint" during the current age of austerity, according to a spokesperson.

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

The FTSE finished at its highest closing level in more than five months today as investors were buoyed by the prospect of further fiscal stimulus in the US.

The pound has fallen to a five month low against the euro amid a rising claimant count and falling consumer confidence.

The FTSE climbed 1.1% this morning to 5724.37 after rumours of more quantitative easing from the Federal Reserve gained momentum last night.

PwC warns the austerity budget will cause job losses of 500,000 in both the public and private sectors.