FTSE 100

Investec Structured Products has improved the terms of its Capital Guaranteed FTSE 100 Income Plan.

The FTSE 100 was heading upwards this afternoon after a turbulent day of trading in London, up 18.38 points (0.43%) to 4,252.65.

London markets opened higher this morning, regaining some of Thursday's lost ground, with the FTSE 100 up 12.32 points (0.29%) to 4,246.59.

London saw shares fall in early trading, with the FTSE 100 down 35.77 points (0.82%) to 4,304.94 as investors exercise caution ahead of key US employment data.

The Dow Jones followed the FTSE 100, climbing strongly after opening, up 95 points (1.1%) to 8,543.

Miners were pulling the FTSE 100 down in early trading, despite having done well throughout the week on rising metals prices.

Anthony Bolton's Fidelity Special Situations successor Sanjeev Shah has increased exposure to banking stocks despite the sector playing a significant role in the worst ever year for the FTSE 100.

HBOS, Royal Bank of Scotland and Alliance & Leicester led the decliners in London on Thursday, as yet more fresh gloom about the UK housing market contributed to a 48.45-point, 0.8% fall in the blue chip FTSE 100 index.

Lehman Brothers has launched Enhanced Returns Plan Issue 5, offering 100% capital protection, in conjunction with plan manager DRL.

The FTSE 100 closed 0.76% lower at 6007.60, fuelled by massive falls in banking stocks.