Investors are concerned recent sharp moves in Apple's share price are distorting returns for the wider US market, suggesting some indices may have to be rebalanced to lessen the tech giant's dominance.
The International Monetary Fund (IMF) has warned the world faces a credit crunch similar to that of 2008/09 as the euro crisis forces banks to cut their balance sheets.
Shareholders in investment bank Citigroup - which failed a recent stress test - have aired their discontent with the financial giant by voting against giving top executives a larger pay packet.
The Italian government has dramatically cut its growth economic growth forecast for this year, according to an official document seen by Reuters.
Several major European banks will do rights issues this year in a bid to downsize their balance sheets to meet Basel III requirements, said Neptune's Rob Burnett.
Consumer group Which? has listed absolute return funds and task-based income protection cover among a list of 'financial products to avoid'.