FTSE flat as Asian markets rise on manufacturing data

Asian stocks extended a global rally overnight following positive data from the US and China, while the FTSE 100 has begun reversing yesterday's gains.

London's leading index fell 17 points or 0.3% in early trading to 5,377. Commodities stocks dragged on the FTSE, with Fresnillo down more than 3% and Xstrata falling 2.46%.  Meanwhile Hargreaves Lansdown spiked more than 15% to trade at 498.4p. Shares leaped after the company posted a 42% boost in pre-tax profits over a year. Asian markets joined yesterday's upbeat trading session in Europe and the US, all boosted by further signs a third round of QE is on the cards. Technology names pulled the MSCI Asia Pacific index up 0.5%, while Japan's Nikkei 225 Stock Average was up 1.5%. ...