Economics

The FTSE 100 started the second half of the year positively after promising Asian numbers were followed up by a strong showing from the UK's own manufacturing sector.

US fixed income investors are on course to suffer their worst first half of a year for nearly two decades following the Federal Reserve's remarks around curtailing its enormous quantitative easing programme.

This week has seen further volatile moves in markets - particularly within fixed income as investors unwind positions in government and emerging debt - while Chinese equities also hit the headlines on fears of a slowdown in the country.

A leading member of the US Federal Reserve has tried to calm markets by stressing plans to start tapering its QE programme depend on the economy recovering.

Eurozone countries face a decade of deflation and stagnation if governments fail to tackle debt and slow growth plaguing the region, Standard Life Investments' global strategy head has said.

The Bank of England has revealed controversial plans to relax rules governing safety standards for lenders in a bid to provide a £70bn boost to the economy.

Global equities climbed overnight as poor growth figures from the US allayed fears the Federal Reserve will soon slam the brakes on its stimulus programme.

Chancellor George Osborne has said he will cap the country's welfare budget each year for the next four years from April 2015 - but the state pension will not be included.

Outgoing Bank of England (BoE) governor Sir Mervyn King has accused banks of attempting to influence financial regulation by putting pressure on senior politicians - including the Prime Minister.

The BBC has raised £170m to help finance BBC Worldwide after tapping bond markets for the first time in its history.