Economics

The FTSE 100 is in the black in early trading after falling 1% on opening, after S&P's downgrade of US debt sparked a further share sell-off across the globe.

The European Central Bank said last night it would "actively implement" its controversial bond-buying programme to fight the eurozone's debt crisis, signalling it will buy Spanish and Italian government bonds.

Asian stocks have slumped on Monday, extending one of the worst sell-offs in recent years, after Standard and Poor's cut the US' AAA-credit rating.

S&P's decision to cut the US' prized AAA-credit rating puts the superpower in a worse position than the Isle of Man and Hong Kong.

Paul Spencer passed his five-year anniversary on the Rensburg UK Mid Cap Growth fund earlier this year after rejoining the group in 2006 boasting top-decile returns over all time periods.

Chaos in markets across the globe this week following heavy sell-offs prompted some commentators to warn of a new credit crunch, and left investors desperately seeking safe assets.

Fidelity's Anthony Bolton has said this week's tumultuous equity markets should be seen by investors as a "time of opportunity".

US jobs data provided some much needed respite for investors on Friday, after the latest figures beat estimates.

The national newspapers spared front-page column inches to talk of a 'Credit Crunch 2' on Friday after a global sell-off wiped trillions off the value of equities worldwide.

One of my favourite films from the early 1980s is "The Long Good Friday". Despite the fact that Bob Hoskins' character is a top London gangster, one warms to his personality. And, in the final scene of the film, one even has pity for his predicament....