Economics / Markets

In London, trading was cautious after several Asian banks revealed higher than expected losses related to the US sub-prime crisis and the FTSE 100 was up 12.5 points, or 0.2%, to 6,209.4.

A LONG term structural shift in the sector composition of the EMEA region is underway, according to Fidelity International.

The credit crunch which swept across the FTSE last week appears well and truly over after the index climbed 74 points, or 1.19%, to stabilise at a healthy 6,270.

THE current "financial stress" offers significant opportunities to investors, and to fundamental contrarian managers in particular, according to Miles Geldard of MPC Investors, the independent asset manager.

MANY of the emerging economies' stock markets are set to recover strongly, driven by robust economic growth and growing independence from the US, according to Sam Mahtani, manager of the F&C Global Emerging Markets portfolio.

GLOBAL investor confidence recovered in August, according to the State Street Investor Confidence Index, which rose by 13 points to 99.3.

In London, markets made a strong recovery as investor worries over debt markets calmed and the FTSE 100 closed up 109.9, or 1.81%, at 6,196.

In London, the FTSE 100 made a strong start to the day after news that the US Fed might cut interest rates and was up 53.9 points, or 0.89%, to 6,140.

GROWTH stocks will benefit from short-term investor caution and a medium term slowdown in the European economy, according to Arjan Palthe, senior portfolio manager of ABN AMRO's Europe Equity Growth fund.

It was another up and down day for the FTSE 100 as high metal prices led many miners to gains - with the index closing on 6086.1, a 7.4 point increase, or 0.12%.