Insurance firm Aviva has suffered an embarassing blow after more than half its shareholders voted against its proposals on executive pay at its annual general meeting today.

Net retail sales for Q1 2012 have slumped considerably compared to the two previous years, according to the Investment Management Association (IMA).

SWIP's director of real estate Malcolm Naish is to retire at the end of June.

Today's biggest loser on the FTSE 100 - Man Group - has continued its slide this afternoon, falling over 6% after warning of losses of $1bn from its funds this quarter.

Laxey Partners was dealt a fresh blow in its bid to overhaul Alliance Trust today, as around 80% of shareholders voted against the activist investor's proposals at the trust's AGM.

Italy sold €5.95bn worth of bonds today after Standard & Poor's downgrade of Spain reignited fears over the health of European peripheral economies.

Illusive trader Alan Howard has been ranked the wealthiest hedge fund manager as part of the Sunday Times Rich List, after his fund managed to outperform through the eurozone crisis last year.

Britain's most expensive stamp, a 'plate 77 Penny Red', has been sold for £550,000 to a private client seeking portfolio diversification.

Chancellor George Osborne has ruled out easing his debt reduction plan despite yesterday's news the UK has plunged back into recession.

Federal Reserve chairman Ben Bernanke has signalled the end of QE in the US, saying it would be "reckless" to pump further stimulus into the economy unless it sees a sharp deterioration.