Economics

Friends Life was the biggest riser in the FTSE 100 index this morning, while Aviva was the largest faller after plans for a merger between the two companies were announced on Friday.

UKIP has taken a second seat in Westminster after winning the Rochester and Strood by-election, adding to concerns over the outcome of the general election next year.

Jupiter UK equity manager Steve Davies believes investors will need to be "tactically nimble" to handle the fallout from next year's UK election.

Mining stocks weighed on the FTSE 100 index on Thursday, as the latest economic data pointed to a slowdown in China and the eurozone.

The UK's challenge to overthrow banking bonus cap plans has been rejected by the EU Court of Justice.

Shares in Royal Mail fell by more than 8% after the company reported a fall in profits amid rising fears over competition from online retailers.

Minutes released by the Bank of England's Monetary Policy Committee this morning revealed a more hawkish stance than investors expected, helping to lift the flagging UK currency.

Royal Mail suffered a 21% profit fall in the half year ending 28 September 2014, but beat analysts' expectations of a 30% drop.

Cazenove Capital Management's CIO Richard Jeffrey said the Bank of England should have raised interest raised this year instead of waiting for perfect economic conditions.

UK CPI inflation rose to at an annual rate of 1.3% in October, according to ONS figures released today.