Markets

The US Treasury has ruled out minting a $1 trillion dollar platinum coin as a way to circumvent the need to raise its national borrowing limit next month.

THE BIQ QUESTION

2012 was a particularly tough year for some sectors, notably commodities and gold, as fears over global growth weighed on demand for materials.

Cofunds has extended its lead as the UK's largest platform, with assets rising to £45bn, according to the Platforum's latest pricing guide.

Two executives at Royal Bank of Scotland are reportedly under pressure to step down as US and UK regulators are concerned about the culture of the investment banking division at the bank.

Polar Capital has reported a jump in assets under management in its latest group update.

The Serious Fraud Office (SFO) spent £1.3m on its ill-fated investigation into the collapse of Kaupthing Bank, a Freedom of Information (FoI) request has revealed.

The Japanese government has approved a fresh 10.3 trillion yen ($116bn; £72bn) stimulus package to shore up its flagging economy.

Today the MPC left interest rates untouched for another month in a widely expected move, while leaving quantitative easing on hold, but calls for the Bank to take a more pro-active approach to boost growth are getting louder.

The Bank of England's Monetary Policy Committee (MPC) has once again kept interest rates unchanged and quantitative easing on hold in a widely expected decision.