UK

Neil Woodford will receive a dividend boost from top-20 holding International Power after GDF Suez agreed a special payout in excess of £1.3bn to sweeten its proposed tie-up.

Lloyds chief executive Eric Daniels says the banking giant "did the country a great service" in taking over stricken lender HBOS last year.

Six UK bank bosses are to form a taskforce designed to help get lending to businesses back on track.

After a positive start to 2010, risk aversion on the back of downbeat macroeconomic news has hit UK equities.

ON UK INCOME

Clive Cowdery's Resolution consolidation vehicle has received 95.5% shareholder take-up of its £2bn rights issue, which will help fund its part acquisition of Axa's UK business.

The Royal Bank of Scotland Group reported a small £9m net profit over the first half of the year, after recording a £1.14bn pre-tax profit in the six-month period.

STANDARD LIFE'S HARRY NIMMO

Troubled oil giant BP will restore dividends next year at 65% below its previous payout level, derivative prices show.

Schroders posted a £1.8bn net retail inflow in the second quarter of the year, helping to propel its first half net retail sales to £5.1bn.