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.

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

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

UK markets move lower as China raises bank reserve rates again, whilst ARM holdings again leaves the rest in its wake.

Markets weaken as Euro slides against Dollar pressure and everyone holds their breath before US Non-Farm Payrolls.

2011 starts with a bang as UK equities open the year strongly with BP in the headlines for the right reasons.

Commodities push higher as UK markets reopen after Christmas break with the key 6000 level for the FTSE 100 remaining in focus.

Irish downgrade from Moody’s knocks the banks, as markets remain relatively quiet.