FTSE

Britain's economy grew at 0.2% for the second quarter, according to the first revision of the data by the Office for National Statistics (ONS).

US markets have opened lower as investors take a dim view of Hewlett Packard's latest acquisition and send its shares down 20%.

The FTSE has suffered sharp falls in afternoon trading with banking stocks leading the plunge into the red amid renewed euro debt concerns.

German growth lurched sharply lower in the second quarter of 2011, piling more pressure on the eurozone and sending shares in the UK lower in early trading.

Updated: The FTSE 100 got off to a weak start on Friday but stablised by mid-morning following efforts in several European countries to calm volatility in share trading.

The FTSE opened more than 2% higher on Thursday after the Dow Jones shed 520 points lower in overnight trading amid concerns that France would become the next economic superpower to lose its AAA rating.

Tony Hales at Stadia Trustees says IFAs are vital for providing the right advice on investment suitability

Global markets have slipped back into the red after the Dow Jones posted heavy losses on the opening bell, as fears of a double-dip recession intensify.

Deficits of schemes monitored by the Pension Protection Fund (PPF) worsened last month, increasing from £8.3bn in June to £67.3bn at the end of July.

The FTSE 100 climbed this morning and Asian and US markets rallied strongly overnight as the Federal Reserve announced it would hold interest rates at close to zero until 2013.