The FTSE 100 index fell towards a three-month low earlier today, as worries about the profitability of insurance stocks prompted hectic market activity.

The FTSE is currently down 0.9% to the 3700 level - its lowest point since late September.

Financial stocks have caused the latest selling flurry. Prudential has fallen by 3.6%, Legal and General has so far shed 3.4%, while Aviva was down 3.2%.

Chris Rathbone, insurance analyst at Williams de Broe in London was reported in the FT as saying: "Add in nervousness ahead of new business figures from Prudential and Legal and General and the cocktail is not encouraging."

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