Markets afternoon briefing

View an online version of this email here.  All times are London time: Friday Jan 30 2009 FT.com - Financial Markets News US GDP fall of 3.8% less than feared Jan 30 2009 14:37 The US economy contracted by annualised 3.8 per cent in the final quarter of 2008, according to advanced data released on Friday, a much smaller percentage than expected, but still its worst performance since 1982 Read more » Wall St takes some heart from GDP data Jan 30 2009 13:59 US stocks were set for a mixed start after economic data showed the biggest contraction in US output since 1982 – which was nevertheless not as bad as feared Read more » Moody's warns it may downgrade Ireland Jan 30 2009 13:07 The rating agency followed rival S&P and warned of the risk of a downgrade to Ireland's credit rating, as the country tackles a downturn in the housing market and increasing uncertainty surrounding its outlook Read more » Banks help FTSE higher after US data Jan 30 2009 15:23 Mining stocks continued to put pressure on London equities on Friday, but the banking stocks moved back to the top of the leaderboard to help the FTSE 100 to make overall gains Read more » Dismal data boost yen Jan 30 2009 11:28 The yen and the dollar advanced on Friday as more dismal economic data stoked safe haven demand for both currencies. Read more » Drugmakers boost bourses despite data gloom Jan 30 2009 11:10 European equities clawed back ground on Friday as merger activity in the pharmaceutical sector provided support while investors digested data showing a further rise of unemployment in the eurozone Read more » Japanese shares undermined by grim earnings Jan 30 2009 08:33 Japanese shares dropped as even bleaker-than-expected data shook sentiment and the onslaught on grim earnings weighed on the market Read more » Japan's production falls record 9.6% Jan 30 2009 07:53 Japanese industrial production fell a record 9.6 percent in December, while core annual inflation almost evaporated, reinforcing expectations of a record economic contraction as the global financial crisis worsens Read more » ABOUT THIS EMAIL You have received this email because you have signed up for this briefing on FT.com Manage subscriptions | Unsubscribe | Change your email address Change whether you receive this email as HTML or plain text | Forward this email to a friend Privacy policy | Advertise | Contact © Copyright The Financial Times Ltd 2009. "FT" and "Financial Times" are trademarks of the Financial Times. The Financial Times Limited, registered in England and Wales number 227590. Registered office: Number One Southwark Bridge, London SE1 9HL. VAT number GB 278 5371 21.