S&P 500

Markets were subdued in afternoon trading as fears over China, coupled with instability in the Middle East, weighed on investor sentiment.

The FTSE 100 gained more than 80 points in early trading while global markets leapt higher overnight, lifted by the Federal Reserve's latest round of quantitative easing.

Shares across the globe fell overnight as renewed fears about Germany's likelihood of approving rescue plans plagued investors once again.

For right or wrong, it is an incontrovertible fact that more and more investors, as well as their advisers, are making the shift to using passive funds as part of their diversified portfolios.

Asian markets continued the global stock market rally, following yesterday's unveiling of the ECB's bond buying plans, with some indices up 3.8%.

UK shares were once again lower this morning, extending yesterday's sharp losses as falls in Asia overnight impacted confidence.

Investors are preparing for a sell-off in equities if policy action in the US and Europe fails to be aggressive enough.

Shares across Europe were lower in trading this morning as concerns mounted ahead of a key gathering of central bankers on Friday.

Asian stock markets echoed Wall Street's overnight slump as investors fretted over declining Japanese export figures.

The S&P 500 is at a four-year high and the Dow looks set to follow as US equity investors continue to make gains.