Economics / Markets

Barclays leads a strong start for banks on the FTSE on Thursday amid reports it is on the verge of closing the £3bn sale of its iShares business.

The Dow Jones was up in early trading on Wednesday, adding 50.73 points (0.65%) to 7,840 shortly before 10am local time.

Financials were among the biggest losers as the FTSE 100 slumped this afternoon, driving the index down by 74.58 points (1.87%) to 3,918.96.

Aerospace and commodity stocks are leading the way for the FTSE 100 this morning, driving the index up 29.58 points (0.74%) to 4,032.12 at 8.55am.

The FTSE 100 dived below the 4,000 mark this afternoon, dragged down by miners as Rio Tinto plummeted on possible rights issue plans.

The FTSE 100 is in positive territory this morning with financials climbing on the back of the strong take-up of HSBC's rights issue. At 8.20am, the index was 38.29 points higher, or 0.95%, to 4,067.96.

The FTSE 100 has continued to slump from this morning's negative opening, shedding 1.25% to 4073.45.

Banks lead a decline in the FTSE 100 in early trading this morning, as the index struggles to maintain yesterday's rally on the back of G20 news, decreasing 20.03 points, or 0.61%, to 4099.94.

A strong showing from the mining sector has helped the FTSE 100 rise in early trading this morning, increasing 110.58 points, or 2.8%, to 4,066.51.

The Dow Jones has reversed some of yesterday's gains by falling 67.94 points (0.89%) to reach 7,540.98 points.