Economics / Markets

MARKET volatility has created some good buying opportunities in Europe, according to Roger Guy and Guillaume Ramourg, managers of the Gartmore European Selected Opportunities fund.

FURTHER evidence the US has slipped into recession is provided by the latest US employment data.

The FTSE has climbed 38.4 points, or 0.57%, to 5981.2 in early trading on Monday as commodities led gains.

The FTSE100 closed up 55 at 5,947, just short of the 6,000 mark, at the end of the week.

The FTSE100 is up 26.80 and edging closer to 6000 at 5918.10 this morning, aided by a 31.00 increase for British Energy .

High metal prices and escalating crude oil costs softened the losses for the FTSE 100 today, closing 24.60 points (0.42%) down to 5891.30.

The FTSE 100 is fighting back from a sluggish start this morning, with the mining and resources sector again leading the way. The blue-chip index is currently 3.50 points lower (0.06%) to 5912.40.

The FTSE has opened unexpectedly slowly after strong gains across Europe, Asia and the US yesterday sparked talk the worst of the credit crunch may be over.

A promising opening on the FTSE has seen the index climb 41.3 points, or 0.72%, to 5,743.4.

The FTSE fell 4.1 points, or 0.07%, to 5688.8 this afternoon as ITV continued to fall following reports the UK advertising market had dipped.