Eurozone

The eurozone has officially entered recession, the latest GDP data shows, as growth in core economies was offset by a surprisingly weak figure from the Netherlands.

A conflict erupted between the IMF and European Union last night as it was announced Greece would receive a two year extension to meet its debt reduction target.

Capital Economics' managing director Roger Bootle gives his views on how markets and European countries would respond to a Greek exit from the eurozone and the impact on other struggling peripheral nations.

Liontrust Asset Management's James Inglis-Jones have revealed some of the key long and short positions they have in European stocks, which are driving the European Absolute Alpha fund.

As equity markets wane and politicians dither, gold has moved firmly back into the limelight recently, with investor demand for the precious metal sending its price rebounding back near record highs.

European markets have made steady gains throughout the day, fuelled by reports Spain will ask the eurozone for financial aid next month.

London's leading index lost ground in morning trading as investors braced for a round of woeful reports from the third quarter earnings season.

The IMF is expected to cut its forecast for UK growth in 2012 by 0.3 percentage points this week, from 0.2% to -0.1%, as part of a series of downgrades.

Spain's economy minister Luis de Guindos denied his country needs a bailout as he gaave a speech to the London School of Economics.

EUROPE