Economics

The FTSE 100 has opened in positive territory after a commodities bounce-back lifted Wall Street yesterday.

Government austerity measures and high levels of consumer debt pose "strong headwinds" for the UK's economic recovery, the IMF has warned.

Chinese inflation has reached a peak, according to Jupiter's Philip Ehrmann, who also believes monetary policy is likely to become more relaxed in the second half of this year.

Lucy Colback has joined Veritas to work on its Asian funds alongside Ezra Sun.

Markets across Europe fell at the start of trading as an earthquake measuring 5.1 on the Richter scale hit Spain and commodities were heavily sold off in the US.

Sterling jumped across the board after the Bank of England's latest report said inflation is likely to remain above target for longer, fuelling expectations the MPC will act sooner to tackle price rises.

Barings has recruited Wilfred Sit to fill the newly-created role of chief investment officer for the Asian business, four years after he left the group.

The UK could fall back into recession at the end of this year, as high oil prices and the impact of the Japan earthquake weigh on global economic growth, said Fidelity's Trevor Greetham.

A third round of quantitative easing in the US would lead to the collapse of the dollar, M&G's Jim Leaviss has warned.

MAM Funds' Martin Gray is holding 40% in cash in both his multi-asset funds due to a "lack of opportunities" in markets.