FTSE 100 on course for largest monthly gain in two decades

The FTSE 100 has dipped back below 5,700 but remains on course to post its largest monthly gain since 1990.

The FTSE was down 0.27% at 5,699 two hours before the close, but remains 11.2% higher than its 28 September closing level of 5,128. That puts the blue chip index on course for its largest one month rise since May 1990, when it rose by 11.5%. The day's largest faller was Man Group as investors grew nervous over the performance of its black box strategy AHL, while banks also gave back some of yesterday's gains after Lloyds, RBS and Barclays all rose by 8%, 10% and 18% respectively on Thursday. Equities also dipped in Europe and the US after similar gains over the course of October. I...