Economics

IS THERE STILL VALUE IN THE FTSE 250?

A major earthquake in Japan has rocked markets, which were already fragile yesterday as the FTSE 100 hit a five-week low.

AIG is aiming to reduce its obligation to the US government by offering to buy a $15.7bn (£9.72bn) portfolio of mortgage-backed securities from the Fed.

Standard Life has reported a strong year for its investment arm with AUM up by 26%.

Markets fell across the board at the start of trading today, after Moody's downgraded Spain's government debt from Aa1 to Aa2 with a negative outlook.

Schroders saw net inflows soar to £27.1bn last year, almost double the £15bn taken in 2009.

The FTSE100 fell in early trading as concerns over EU debt problems offset any reassurance the market might take from easing oil prices.

RATE HIKES IN EUROZONE COULD BE 'DISASTROUS'

Strong platform sales helped boost Skandia UK's pre-tax profits for 2010 by 56% to £140m compared to £90m in 2009.

US stocks closed lower on Friday despite a strong labour market report for February, as the oil price continued to rise, driven by continuing turmoil in Libya.