Economics

Fears that the UK is heading for a triple-dip recession appear to have been confirmed by worse-than-expected January manufacturing data, analysts have suggested.

The asset management division of Close Brothers, comprising both advised and managed solutions for clients, turned a profit in the six months to February thanks partly to a 6% increase in overall assets under management.

Lloyds has put a 20% stake in wealth manager St James's Place up for sale, the bank confirmed this afternoon.

Chancellor George Osborne's Budget next week runs the risk of being a "dangerous missed opportunity" if he sticks to his guns on austerity, leading economist Roger Bootle (pictured) has said.

Some 67% of bankers in the City were unhappy with their overall remuneration package in 2012 and feel "excellence is not incentivised" according to a new study.

WEALTH MANAGERS

Italy's embattled economy contracted 2.8% year on year in the fourth quarter, according to the final reading released this morning, worse than the 2.7% contraction previously thought.

The Office for Budget Responsibility has rebuked David Cameron over his claim austerity is not to blame for the UK's sluggish economy.

While markets are nearing - or passing through - nominal highs, in reality, UK shares would need to climb much higher just to meet inflation-adjusted pre-crisis highs of 2007.

Shares in Schroders have climbed over 1% in early trading on the FTSE 100 as UBS removed its ‘sell' rating and investors grow more optimistic over the asset manager's prospects.