Latest financial market news: • FTSE 100 up on decent Asian showing overnight • More M&A excitement with Avis takeover • Glencore and Tesco release results • UK inflation (CPI/RPI) numbers in line with expectations • Investors looking to plentiful US economic indicators data this afternoon, including US retail sales

European markets positive as investors await key US non farm payroll figures out at 1.30pm (GMT)

Corporate earnings news overshadows events in Egypt, and the UK service sector joins manufacturing in showing good growth for Janaury.

Fears over events in Egypt are cast aside by rising commodity markets and corporate earnings, giving UK markets a boost.

Trouble in Egypt adds volatility into markets.

European markets in the red as investors await key US Q4 GDP figures

The UK economy retracts in Q4 2010 and knocks the markets, cooling fears of a sudden interest rate hike.

Banks keep Ftse gains to a minimum.

Retailers lead to a weaker FTSE.

UK equities push back towards recent highs as Apple dominates news ahead of its results tonight.