Dow Jones

US markets experienced a volatile morning as tech firms fell back and Citigroup announced it had made a profit for the first time in almost two years. The Dow Jones was up 21.03 points (0.26%) to 8,146.46.

The Dow opened at 7,915 points, down five from yesterday's close, and fell to 7,870 before rallying to 7,905 by around 9.30am Eastern Central Time.

Financials were among the biggest losers as the FTSE 100 slumped this afternoon, driving the index down by 74.58 points (1.87%) to 3,918.96.

A strong showing from the mining sector has helped the FTSE 100 rise in early trading this morning, increasing 110.58 points, or 2.8%, to 4,066.51.

The Dow Jones has reversed some of yesterday's gains by falling 67.94 points (0.89%) to reach 7,540.98 points.

The Dow Jones was up in early trading, rising 71 points, or 0.95%, to 7,593 as of 3:25pm GMT.

The FTSE 100 has been floored this morning as poor financials and mining stocks drive the index down 94.96 points, or 2.44%, to 3,803.89.

The Dow Jones climbed in early trading on Wednesday on better-than-expected housing and manufacturing figures, positing a gain of 174.51 (2.28%) to 7,834.72 at 10:50EST.

The markets soared stateside as the launch of the US government's programme to tackle banks' toxic debt prompted the Dow Jones to swell 275.90 (3.79%) to 7,554.28 by 11.31 EDT, continuing its two-week rally.

Barclays shares are soaring this morning as the banking giant announced it is in talks to sell its iShares business.