Economics / Markets

Hong Kong's Hang Seng index was spurred today on news the Chinese government is to introduce measures to stimulate its housing market, ending the day up nearly 2.2%.

US stock markets rose cautiously yesterday on the back of the Federal Reserve's historic decision to cut interest rates to 0.25%.

The FTSE 100 immediately fell from an opening of 4,277 to below 4,255 this morning, amid speculation that the Fed will today halve US interest rates to 0.5%.

Shares in private equity giant 3i Group plunged 10% as HBOS prospered on a mixed Monday for the FTSE.

Banks dived in early trading on Friday after a bleak trading statement from HBOS revealed the extent of its bad debts on mortgages and unsecured lending.

London markets were boosted by oil companies this afternoon after a report from the International Energy Agency (IEA) forecast rising demand in 2009.

A cooling off in demand for insurance stocks dragged the FTSE 100 down by over 0.5% to below 4,360 upon opening this morning.

UK stocks rebounded on Tuesday led by significant gains for Stagecoach , owner of Britain's biggest rail franchise.

The FTSE soared in early trading following a slump on Friday sparked by fears of more than half a million job cuts in the US.

London trading worsened as Friday afternoon as after figures revealed more half a million jobs were cut in the US in November.