Dow Jones

Defensive ETFs have outperformed in the volatile markets experienced since the start of this year, according to ETF Securities (ETFS).

The FTSE fell in early trading, dragged down by negative market sentiment towards resources firms.

iShares has launched a range of four ETFs on the London Stock Exchange (LSE), with three providing exposure to MSCI country indices.

The FTSE 100 opened lower, down 39.78 points or 0.76% to 5220 over worries about global growth following announcements in China and the US.

In London, markets opened lower this morning as fears grew over the impact of banking regulation.

The FTSE 100 rose sharply Thursday following promising economic news from China.

UK pharmaceuticals rose in early trading after speculation mounted President Barrack Obama's healthcare reforms could be thwarted by the Republicans.

Early gains among major miners helped boost the FTSE by 34.93 points (0.64%) to 5508.41 in early trading.

The FTSE 100 opened slightly lower this morning after falls on Wall Street and in Asia, dipping 4.76 points (0.09%) to 5,493 in early trading.

US stocks reached 15-month highs on Monday, with both the Dow Jones and S&P 500 up at least 1.5% on the first trading day of 2010.