Economics

Optimistic chief executives are paid less than their peers, research by HEC Business School in Paris has found.

The International Monetary Fund has cut its growth forecast for the next two years, after December's figures in many countries disappointed.

Ecclesiastical's Robin Hepworth has said fears the upcoming general election will have a detrimental impact on the UK equity market are overstated.

Hedge fund Everest Capital has closed its largest fund after sustaining heavy losses on the Swiss franc's dramatic move last week.

Asian equities sold off overnight and investors rushed for safe havens as markets continued to react to a shock move by the Swiss National Bank (SNB) yesterday to remove the Swiss franc's peg to the euro.

American economist Jeffrey Sachs has urged investors to add socially responsible firms to their portfolios in 2015, as consumers become more aware of companies' social and environmental credentials.

Think local

Indian equities stood out in Asian trading overnight after the Reserve Bank of India (RBI) announced a surprise cut to interest rates in order to combat falling inflation.

This year will see investors finally lose faith in the notion that policymakers are in control of global economic events, according to 'permabear' investor Marc Faber.

The World Bank has cut its global growth forecast, warning the US alone cannot drive an economic recovery.