The Dow Jones is lower today after a surprise rise in the US jobless figures overshadowed an increase in August consumer spending.

The FTSE 100 kicked off the fourth quarter on a positive note in early trading, though shares dipped slightly towards mid-morning.

Capita Financial Group (CFG) is set to begin redundancy consultations with its London staff ahead of a move to Leeds.

Old Mutual Asset Managers is launching a Dublin-domiciled bond fund for its head of fixed interest Stewart Cowley.

Threadneedle is launching a Luxembourg-domiciled Sicav range having completed the integration of the World Express investment funds business it bought earlier in the year, with hopes of strengthening its foothold in Europe and Asia.

Midas Capital today reports a loss for the first half of 2009 but says improving fund performance and a successful restructure of the business have put it in a good position for future growth.

Wall Street got off to a shaky start today as traders digest positive news on the housing market and a negative read on the Conference Board's consumer confidence index.

The FTSE 100 has opened lower this morning despite three-figure gains on Wall Street overnight.

The Dow Jones has kick-started the week with solid gains in early trading on Monday.

The FTSE 100 plunged sharply in morning trading, as banks and mining stocks dragged the index down.