UK firms will see their dividend payouts hit £67bn this year, an 18% rise on 2010, according to the latest Dividend Monitor from Capita Registrars.

Google stock could rise as much as 25% to $700 per share, managers say, as the tech giant's latest earnings report showed impressive profit growth.

European inflation levels edged up 0.5% in September to 3%, Eurostat has confirmed, reducing the possibility of a rate cut.

Scottish Widows Investment Partnership (SWIP) has boosted its real estate offering with the hire of five investment managers.

Brian Gallagher, manager of the £22m UBS Equity Income fund, has left the firm, with his fund handed over to Edward Peter-Hoblyn and Richard Lloyd.

The National Institute for Economic and Social Research (NIESR) has warned the UK faces the weakest economic recovery since the First World War, as GDP remains well below its pre-recession high.

Roger Webb, manager of the £81m SWIP Strategic Bond fund, is poised to take advantage of the recent sell-off in high yield amid signs of a solution to the European crisis.

Investment bank Goldman Sachs is expected to report its second ever quarterly loss when it unveils its numbers next week, Credit Suisse analysts have warned.

The Active Managed sector has suffered from market volatility in the short term, but managers have held their nerve.

The Belgian market regulator has halted trading of shares in Franco-Belgian bank Dexia as speculation mounts over the sale of its Luxembourg unit, the BBC reports.