FTSE 100

The FTSE advanced 40 points in early trading on Tuesday as investors were buoyed by news of US tax cuts, but European debt fears were keeping a lid on sentiment ahead of the Irish budget.

US markets closed 1% ahead yesterday on a buoyant day for global shares as fears around the European sovereign debt crisis eased.

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Losses in Asia, a lack of direction from Wall Street, where traders sat out Thursday's session for Thanksgiving, and falling resources stocks have made for a poor start for the FTSE 100.

The FTSE 100 has fallen 1.2% this afternoon as eurozone debt fears and reports of hostilities between North and South Korea continued to dent investor sentiment.

The FTSE 100 advanced 0.67% or 38.68 points to 5,771.51 as investors responded positively to news Ireland has agreed to a bailout.

The FTSE 100 was down almost 2% this afternoon as fears over Europe's sovereign debt woes and tighter monetary policy in China continued to weigh on investors.

The FTSE 100 dropped 0.49% or 28.19 points to 5,768.68 in early morning trading, as fears of lower demand from China dragged down mining stocks.

London's FTSE opened 1.7% down this morning on a poor day for global stocks, following heavy losses in Asia and fresh fears for the Irish economy.

Positive earnings reports from some of the FTSE 100 top players have boosted the index this morning.