France

France has reduced its economic growth forecast for 2011 by 0.5% to 2% following a meeting between President Sarkozy and top finance ministers.

OBSR on Europe

ASSET ALLOCATION

EUROPE

Britain and France are at odds with other European Union countries over plans to insure against future bank failures, in another sign of the problems in trying to forge a common response to the bloc's economic woes.

French President Nicolas Sarkozy threatened to exit the euro unless German Chancellor Angela Merkel backed the EU's €750bn safety net for the single currency.

Gordon Brown believes the large economies are close to agreeing a global tax on banks which would cost the financial sector billions of pounds a year - but he played down expectations of a final deal at the next G20 meeting in June.

Baring Europe Select Trust manager Williams foresees increased interest in low-valued European companies

Thames River manager plans to hedge against a 10% drop in trending markets

Aegon manager warns of possible knock-on effect from struggling European countries