Economics / Markets

The Dow Jones benchmark index in the US looked set to cap a week of gains, moving up 25.5 points to 9,812.34.

The UK has been hit so hard by the recession it now sits below developing countries Nigeria and Panama in the financial stability rankings, says a report by the World Economic Forum today.

The OECD says its leading indicators for August 2009 continue to point to recovery in all major economies including the UK.

A rise in consumer-focused shares helped push the UK's benchmark share index ahead despite profit-taking in miners and banks.

The Dow Jones raced to a near 75-point lead in early trading on Thursday thanks in part to strong gains from aluminium giant Alcoa.

The FTSE opened buoyantly, up more than 49 points to 5,158.28, on the back of strong performance from mining companies, due to higher metal prices because of the weak dollar.

Gold today hit an all-time high price of $1,043.77 per ounce after a dip in the dollar boosted the attractiveness of metals to investors.

Markets opened to a volatile start this morning after shares made major gains on improvements in the commodities market.

UK industrial output fell 2.5% in August, its biggest slump since January, says the Office for National Statistics (ONS).

The manager of Fidelity Multi-Asset Strategic has shrugged off his defensive stance, in the belief that early growth signs in recession-hit world economies will not fade as some analysts suggest.