investment

In the UK the FTSE 100 dropped 77 points, or 1.4%, to 5,265.2, its lowest closing price for six weeks. The fall was paced by oils and miners on concerns the rising trend in commodity prices may stall after a warning on oil output from BHP Billiton.

Stocks opened lower in London this morning and the FTSE 100 index is down 28.4 points to 5,313.8, as mining stocks dropped on concern the copper price run might be slowing.

The FTSE 100 index fell 38.5 points, or 0.72% to 5,342.2 at its close a short time ago, as a mixed start on Wall Street and a weak showing from high street chain Next sent the FTSE to its lowest levels of the day.

The European Commission has dropped plans to introduce reforms which could have required investment firms tape every telephone conversation with clients.

EQUITABLE LIFE has offered to abandon its £1.7bn lawsuit against 15 former directors in return for a deal on legal fees, reports the Times .

Dresdner Kleinwort Wasserstein will offer white labelling in the area of structured products through the launch of its new Defined Funds platform.

UK oil stocks fell this morning sending the FTSE 100 index down nearly 10 points to 5,356.

UK oil stocks fell this morning sending the FTSE 100 index down nearly 10 points to 5,356.

Investing in Japan may, finally, be on the cusp of a sustainable turnaround analysts say - although warning signs are still highly visible.

Scottish Widows has maintained its bonus rates on the majority of with-profits policies but the market value reduction has been cut by an average 3% on the back of improved investment performance.