FTSE set for worst ever annual performance

London's index of leading shares has consolidated yesterday's 2% gain with a 47.17 point rise, or 1.09%, to 4,366.52 this afternoon. However, the index is still about 33% lower for the year, the worst performance since it began in 1984. Defying a difficult day for the financials sector, Schroders (non-voting) has bounced back from a poor start to sit 4.96% higher to 687.50, while Asian-focused banking giant Standard Chartered has advanced 4.76% to 847.50. Both HBOS and Lloyds TSB are lower today following news HBOS pension scheme trustees are threatening to block the bank's merger in co...