The FTSE 100 closed at its highest level for over two months last night as world markets soared on the first day of trading in 2012.

The US Federal Reserve is to start publishing forecasts of where it expects interest rates to be in the future in an effort to strengthen the economic recovery.

Investec Asset Management's Max King and Philip Saunders have backed the winners of the 2011 to once again outperform this year amid ongoing volatility in global markets.

Brazil became the world's sixth largest economy in 2011, overtaking the UK, after continuing to see breakneck growth while the UK economy stuttered.

Crispin Odey, the founder of Odey Asset Management, has said there are plenty of bargains to be had in 2012, after a "pretty horrible year" in 2011.

The eurozone could start to break apart this year with countries including Italy and Greece potentially exiting the single currency, a leading think-tank has warned.

New Star founder John Duffield has hit back at claims made during Patrick Evershed's sensational employment tribunal in an open letter.

Investec has told dozens of staff their jobs could be at risk via text message as part of a series of cut backs coming as it takes over Evolution, according to reports.

Ratings agency Moody's has warned the UK's prized AAA rating is at risk from the eurozone crisis despite the austerity measures taken to help retain its current status.

The Treasury Committee is to carry out an inquiry into credit rating agencies, assessing their transparency and whether they have become too powerful.