FTSE 100

Company updates have had a good reception but London's top share index is pausing for breath after recent strong gains.

The FTSE 100 fell almost 1.5% to below 5,900 in midday trade on Thursday as strong growth figures from China prompted monetary tightening concerns.

Caution has set in for investors in early trading on Monday as traders await the outcome of today's eurozone finance ministers' meeting in Brussels.

The FTSE has dipped 1% after a steady morning session as sentiment was hit following China's move to curb rising inflation in the country.

Barclays Wealth has reissued its flagship structured deposit aimed at those seeking an alternative to traditional deposit accounts.

London's leading share index rose almost 150 points, or 2.48%, to reach 6,045 by late morning, buoyed by the commodities sector.

A family-owned hedge fund will offer investors the chance to use Twitter posts to gauge the mood of the stockmarket.

Stephen Message, manager of the OMAM Equity Income and Extra Income funds, looks into his crystal ball for what may happen next year

Investment products such as ETFs are likely to become increasingly bespoke and complex in the coming year, according to Barclays Stockbrokers.

The FTSE has advanced to within touching distance of its 12-month high reached last month as M&A activity boosts the index in its last full trading week before Christmas.