This article is from the source 'bbc' and was first published or seen on . It will not be checked again for changes.

You can find the current article at its original source at http://news.bbc.co.uk/go/rss/-/1/hi/business/7620318.stm

The article has changed 16 times. There is an RSS feed of changes available.

Version 2 Version 3
Global investors remain nervous Global investors remain nervous
(about 1 hour later)
A rally in global stock markets fizzled out as investors remained concerned about the precarious state of the financial system. Global stocks suffered more turbulence on Wednesday as investors assessed yet more dramatic financial news.
European exchanges had opened higher after the US government rescue of AIG but quickly reversed course as trading became more volatile. The US government's rescue of troubled insurer AIG and a potential takeover of UK lender HBOS boosted confidence but markets were still volatile.
The FTSE 100 index of leading shares was down 1.2% at 4,966.3 points. The FTSE 100 index of top UK shares was up 1.3% at 5,089.4 points, rising with other European markets.
Banking shares were the chief fallers, with UK lender HBOS plunging 38% after a 22% slide on Tuesday.
Stocks in Tokyo, Taipei, and Seoul all rose, although prices in Hong Kong, Shanghai and Australia lost ground.Stocks in Tokyo, Taipei, and Seoul all rose, although prices in Hong Kong, Shanghai and Australia lost ground.
HBOS, which owns Halifax and Bank of Scotland, continued to suffer. Although it opened up 8% at 196.9 pence, it was later down 38% at 113p. UK banking shares experienced the most volatile trading.
RBS fell 8% and Lloyds fell 3.84%. HBOS stock, which has faced heavy selling this week, fell as much as 50% before shooting into positive territory after the BBC learned that it was in advanced talks to be taken over by Lloyds TSB.
However, investors remain concerned that financial markets will remain unstable after the dramatic events of the past few days. HBOS shares were up 4% at 189 pence by mid-morning.
AIG's bail-out follows the collapse of US investment giant Lehman Brothers, which caused share prices to plummet across the world's financial markets. Barclays was up 6.3%, Royal Bank of Scotland was up 3.3% and Lloyds TSB climbed 3.6%. All three had seen sharp falls in early trade.
Topsy-turvy trade
Trade is likely to remain rocky amid concern that financial system instability will continue after the dramatic events of the past few days.
AIG's bail-out follows the collapse of US investment bank Lehman Brothers, which caused share prices to plummet across the world's financial markets.
Another investment bank, Merrill Lynch, has been sold off to Bank of America.Another investment bank, Merrill Lynch, has been sold off to Bank of America.
The French stock market echoed London's gains, with Paris' Cac 40 index up 1.6%. France's Cac 40 index rose 0.7%, while Germany's Dax was up 0.4% after weaving in and out of negative territory.
In Europe, Swiss bank UBS was up 11% and French lender Societe Generale rose 5.7 Russia's stock exchange suspended trade following steep falls in shares.
Japan's Nikkei 225 index ended up 1.2% at 11,749.79, after hitting a three-year low on Tuesday. The index had earlier rose as much as 2.3%.Japan's Nikkei 225 index ended up 1.2% at 11,749.79, after hitting a three-year low on Tuesday. The index had earlier rose as much as 2.3%.
Hong Kong's Hang Seng index was down 1.85% at 17,691.2 points after earlier rising as high 18,699.18. Hong Kong's Hang Seng index ended down 3.6% at 17,637.19 points.