Demand for gold coins and bars has fallen by a third, year on year, from a record high in 2011, according to the World Gold Council.

F&C has appointed Ross Duncton to spearhead its new direct to consumer push, part of chairman Edward Bramson's strategic review of the business.

The minutes of the last Monetary Policy Committee meeting held on 7 and 8 November reveal David Miles was the only member calling for a boost to the Bank of England's quantitative easing programme.

The merger of Glencore and Xstrata to form the world's largest mining company has finally been approved by shareholders, but has claimed the job of Xstrata chairman Sir John Bond in a row over pay.

The eurozone has officially entered recession, the latest GDP data shows, as growth in core economies was offset by a surprisingly weak figure from the Netherlands.

US indices slumped overnight as prospect of politicians at loggerheads over the fiscal cliff continued to worry investors.

Investec has reported its results for the half year to 30 September, a period which saw its business impacted by a depreciation in the South African rand.

European markets were flat in mid-morning trading today as investors paused for breath amid fresh rumours Spain is about to request an official bailout.

Fidelity Worldwide Investments (FWI), which serves the UK market, is hiring a team of in-house US analysts as it prepares to sever ties with its Boston-based research arm.

The Dow shed more than 300 points in yesterday's session as investors questioned re-elected President Barack Obama's commitment to dealing with the US fiscal cliff.