FTSE 100 down 1.4%

The FTSE 100 was down in early trading today – pushing aside some of Wednesday's optimism and continuing this week's volatility.

At 8:45 BST, the London blue chip index was down 1.39 per cent to 4,280.32 - losing 60.39 points – as traders continue to act as if any trip over the 4,300 is not a long stay.

The biggest story on the markets was the announcement Rio Tinto's share offer had received 96.97 per cent take up from London investors.

The miner was looking to raise £9.3 billion from its London and Australian listing, as it looks to reduce the debt it built up following the purchase of the Canadian aluminium miner Alcan.

In early trading Rio Tinto was down 2.53 per cent to 2,103.50p.

As the FTSE 100 dived, only Barclays managed to stay in positive territory – up 0.14 per cent.

Lomin dropped 4.19 per cent, London Stock Exchange Group slid 4.13 per cent, WPP Group dived 3.33 per cent and insurer Aviva was down 3.30 per cent.

After drops last week on a fall to US consumer confidence, traders are now keenly eyeing US job figures out later today.

Last night in the US, however, the chills had not set in. The Dow closed up 0.68 per cent and the S&P 500 rose 0.44 per cent.