Economics

Stock markets have jumped this afternoon following a series of drastic measures from the European Central Bank to stave off a downturn and boost inflation.

The euro is hovering near a four-month low on the expectation the European Central Bank (ECB) will today take steps to tackle the threat of deflation and lacklustre growth in the eurozone.

Neil Woodford is considering opening talks with his former firm Invesco Perpetual about a private multi-billion pound deal to bring across his old stakes in the country's largest stocks, and avoid creating havoc in their share prices.

Drugs and prostitution are to provide a £10bn boost to the UK economy, after a major shake-up to the way the Office for National Statistics (ONS) calculates GDP.

Apple has acquired headphone manufacturer Beats Electronics - the company part-owned by hip hop mogul Dr. Dre - for $3bn, after carrying out its largest ever acquisition.

The chance of a rate rise this year has moved a step closer after one of the Bank of England's policymakers said a rise in the cost of borrowing should happen "sooner rather than later".

The official UK interest rate could settle at an average of 3% in a few years, the outgoing Deputy Governor of the Bank of England has predicted.

Britain's two state-backed banks have retreated from lending to the London property market since the financial crisis, in a sign of caution amid fears of an inflating housing bubble.

A row has broken out over the cost of setting up all of the public bodies needed in an independent Scotland.

US pharmaceutical giant Pfizer has abandoned its plans to buy AstraZeneca following an unsuccessful pursuit of its UK rival.