Economics

The actions of an increasingly desperate Russia could force the US to keep interest rates on hold and define the investment agenda next year, according to Jason Pidcock, manager of the £5bn Newton Asia Income fund.

Lower tax receipts and other factors are likely to prompt a sharp upwards revision in borrowing forecasts at this week's Autumn Statement, analysts have warned.

ROUND-UP

Kames Capital's CIO Stephen Jones expects the Bank of England to hold interest rates throughout next year, despite expectations of an upcoming hike.

Barings multi-asset manager Christopher Mahon has warned the chances of a fresh Black Monday-style crash are rising, as policy decisions increasingly drive markets.

Cazenove Capital's CIO Richard Jeffrey looks across the major developed economies to give his outlook for growth in 2015.

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.