Economics

Sterling will continue to strengthen this year as investors continue to price in an earlier-than-expected rate rise, according to currency group ECU's head of trading and execution.

Japan's Nikkei has dropped another 2.5% overnight as equity markets move further into the red following a fresh tapering announcement from the US Federal Reserve.

A series of shock rate hikes have failed to prevent a fresh sell-off in emerging market currencies, with developed market equities including the FTSE 100 also caught in the storm.

An independent Scotland would have to compromise its sovereignty if it wants to remain in a sterling-based currency union, BoE governor Mark Carney has warned.

Brewin Dolphin felt the impact of removing trail commission in its latest results, with non-core income falling by 40% in the final quarter of 2013.

Liontrust Asset Management has seen its AUM grow to £3.6bn by the end of 2013 as the takeover of North Investment Partners helped counter outflows in the final quarter.

A continuation of the crisis in emerging markets will spell further pain for developed equity markets, Carmignac Gestion managers have said.

UK GDP rose by 0.7% in Q4, according to an initial estimate from the Office for National Statistics, with growth for the year as a whole rising at its fastest rate since 2007.

Royal Bank of Scotland is facing an £8bn loss for 2013 after announcing an additional £3.1bn of provisions for litigation and mis-selling costs.

M&G's Mike Riddell has questioned the sharp rise of China's investment to GDP ratio, comparing the figure with former bubble countries including Iceland and Asian countries during the 1997 crisis.