Morning Markets: FTSE falls as Asian losses dent confidence

The FTSE 100 has opened lower this morning as investor confidence was dented by weaker Asian markets overnight and a flat US session on Monday.

After posting strong gains yesterday, London's blue-chip index was down 20.75 points (0.42%) to 4,875.48 by 10am. In Japan, the Nikkei 225 posted a loss of 83.69 yen (0.79%) to 10,497.36 yen this morning. The Nikkei fall comes just a day after the index posted a three-month high. Meanwhile, US markets were not buoyed by events in London yesterday, with FTSE 100 index bouncing over 4900 points. The Dow Jones ended Monday up only 3.32 points (0.03%) to 9,509.28 points. Miners are leading the losses in London, with Xstrata worst hit so far, down 3.27% to 842p. Kazakhmys is also dow...