Asian markets suffered their worst weekly loss since 2012 as the EU and US considered sanctions against Russia following a referendum on Crimea.
Shares in Schroders and Aviva jumped sharply today after strong full-year results from both firms, helping to keep the FTSE 100 ahead.
St James's Place will enter the FTSE 100 index following the departure of engineering consultancy Amec and agribusiness Tate and Lyle.
St James's Place (SJP) is set to make its inaugural entry into the FTSE 100 when the index's quarterly review takes place later today.
Fund buyers are increasing their exposure to absolute return equity funds to take advantage of sharp falls by companies which miss earnings estimates.
Don't follow the herd into mega-cap investing, writes Alan Clifford
The FTSE 100 reached a 14-year high yesterday while the S&P 500 hit a new record level, lifted by M&A activity.
Investec Structured Products is launching a capital-protected plan to reflect investor uncertainty over the extent of the UK's economic recovery.
Contrarian views on the UK from Fidelity's Alex Wright
Can the UK's largest index by market cap break 7,000 this year?