The Fed Could Slow its Bond-buying Programme, US Stocks Drop After Poor Economic Data

The Fed's comments rattle markets, Stocks retreat from recent highs after Fed minutes spark concerns US central bank could slow its bond-buying programme

Poor data on US, US stocks drop after poor economic data, US stocks fell as investors reacted to disappointing labour market data and signs of further weakness in the country's economy

Latest update from Eurozone financial system, Payments due on next tranche of ECB loans, A repayment figure substantially less than expectations may indicate problems with the pace of recovery in the eurozone financial system

Japan prime minister Abe trade starts to lose its lustre, Japanese equities volumes slip and the Nikkei 225 becomes more volatile as traders start to doubt prime minister's economic stimulus measures

From Asian, Hong Kong pinning hopes on IPO surge, After a weak 2012 the market for new listings is warming up, although fears persist that China's stalling equity market will curb activity

Finally US Dollar index hits five-month high, Speculation that the Federal Reserve will close its open-ended QE3 sooner than markets previously anticipated lifts the US currency

Meanwhile, BAE bucks wide losses on FTSE 100, Buyback news boosts defence contractor while wider index is hit by heavy selling as global growth outlook cools amid concern over Fed's comments