FTSE halts six-session slide; Yen hits overnight record

The FTSE ticked 40 points higher in early trade on Thursday as investors paused for breath following days of volatility as a result of the nuclear crisis in Japan.

London's leading index climbed 45 points, or 0.8%, to 5,643 after closing down for a sixth consecutive session on Wednesday, taking its total fall over that period to 6.3%.

Miners are going strong, with Xstrata and BHP Billiton both up more than 2.5%.

Asia and the US posted losses overnight as concerns over Japan's nuclear crisis showed little sign of subsiding.

The Nikkei closed down 1.4% to 8,963, while the Dow Jones turned in its worst performance since August, diving more than 2% to 11,613.

Meanwhile, the Japanese yen hit a record post-war high against the US dollar earlier today, reaching 79.32, although commentators expect the rally to be temporary.