FTSE

The FTSE 100 has fallen below the 5,000 point barrier for the first time since 10 September.

Shares fell in London this morning, following trends in the US after new data revealed weaknesses in the world's largest economy.

Wall Street got off to a shaky start today as traders digest positive news on the housing market and a negative read on the Conference Board's consumer confidence index.

The FTSE 100 plunged sharply in morning trading, as banks and mining stocks dragged the index down.

In London, share prices moved upwards as markets opened this morning, though the index is volatile following signs of economic weakness in the US.

FTSE Group has released the first in a set of currency indices in conjunction with Record Currency Management, which utilises the carry strategy to deliver out-performance.

Wall Street shares rose slightly ahead of the Fed's latest interest rate decision, with investors hoping for clues on how the Fed will control inflation.

London trading got off to a positive start this morning after the Dow Jones narrowed a large deficit over night.

On Wall Street, markets fell back slightly on the anniversary of Lehman Brothers's collapse.

Multi-managers believe the equity rally still has further to go despite the strong recent run pushing markets towards pre-Lehman levels.