Economics

Vodafone, BP and some less predictable names including a number of UK housebuilders have been tipped to lead the income tables in 2014.

The Bank of England (BoE) could lower the unemployment target it has said must be reached before it raises interest rates, according to some experts, as jobless figures fall faster than expected.

Chancellor George Osborne has warned Britain still faces "painful cuts" in its efforts to achieve a stable economy.

Asia's major equity markets have fallen after data from China's services sector disappointed.

Investors are too fixated on tapering in the US and are leaving themselves overexposed to risks across equity markets, according to Investec's Alastair Mundy.

Nouriel Roubini, famed for his gloomy predictions on the global economy, has become the latest bear to turn more optimistic over prospects for 2014.

Aberdeen Asset Management is the biggest faller in the FTSE 100 index on the first trading day of 2014, as investors take profits after a stunning run higher for the business recently.

Debenhams' chief financial officer Simon Herrick has resigned from his role after a profits warning on New Year's Eve sent shares plunging.

Stock markets in Asia have started the new year in the red after a lowly first session which saw Chinese shares sell off on weak manufacturing numbers.

The Government could dispose of its remaining stake in Lloyds Banking Group in 2014 through a combination of sales to retail and institutional investors, according to reports.