Economics

The UK will be at risk of returning to recession if the Bank of England raises interest rates, says MAM Funds' Martin Gray.

Updated: Global stock markets fell sharply on Tuesday as investor panic spreads following a third explosion at Japan's Fukushima nuclear power plant.

Updated: Major European indices suffered triple-digit losses on Tuesday after a third explosion at Japan's Fukushima nuclear power plant raised fresh radiation fears and sparked a 1,000-point plunge on the Nikkei 225.

Japan's Topix index posted its worst two-day results since the crash of 1987, as shares continued to sink.

Global insurance company share prices tumbled last night as concerns mounted about the cost of rebuilding Japan following Friday's earthquake and the resulting tsunami.

UK shares fell nearly 2% at opening after a third explosion at the Fukushima nuclear power plant in Japan sent the Nikkei tumbling overnight.

The policy mismatch between the US and European central banks could cause serious headwinds for financial markets, Schroder's Richard Buxton has warned.

Rathbones' CIO Julian Chillingworth has forecast the FTSE 100 to hit 6,350 by the end 2011, a 6.8% increase on last week's 5,900 mark.

Current political turmoil in North Africa will accelerate rather than derail a long-term structural change going on in the region, according to Fadi Al Said, head of Mena investment at ING Investment Management.

Insurance stocks worldwide took a big hit today in anticipation of lower future payouts following the huge earthquake and tsunami which hit Japan overnight.