Dow Jones

London's leading share index edged up this morning, despite fears of an imminent end to US economic stimulus.

Oil has hit its highest level since August 2008 and has broken a new record in sterling terms, hitting £74.60 a barrel.

London's leading share index dropped below the 6,000 mark this morning as BP and Vodafone sold off parts of their asset base.

The index of 100 leading shares bounced 1.57% this afternoon as better than expected economic data sent financial stocks soaring to the top the leaderboard.

GDP figures for Q4 2010 have been revised up to 3.1% from the 2.8% forecast last month, helped by a rise in consumer spending and businesses restocking their inventories.

The FTSE 100 index edged higher in early trading following gains in the US last night.

European stock markets are subdued in early trading and have been unable to mirror the overnight gains made in Asia and the US.

Global markets were buoyant today as fears eased over the possibility of a nuclear meltdown in Japan.

Global markets are continuing to fight back with all the leading indices trading in the black after G7 finance ministers agreed to cool the soaring yen.

The Dow Jones posted strong gains in early trading on Thursday as a cooling operation at the tsunami-hit Fukushima Daiichi nuclear plant eased investor fears.