GDP

Apologies for ruining the positive vibe but I cannot help but return to a recent bugbear of mine - risk.

US economic growth cooled off in the first quarter of 2011 with GDP growth of 1.8%, down from 3.1% the previous quarter.

The UK economy grew by 0.5% in the first quarter of the year, down slightly on economists' estimates, the Office for National Statistics (ONS) said today.

Chancellor George Osborne said he believes the UK economy is "roughly in the right place" ahead of the publication of Q1 GDP figures this morning, as economists predict growth will come in below forecasts.

Greek bond yields rose sharply again today as the country's fiscal situation was revealed to be more precarious than feared.

Henderson's Charlie Awdry expects China will raise interest rates three more times this year to quell soaring inflation.

Back in July 2000 following the Asian crises, the IMF produced a report entitled "Currency and Banking Crises: The Early Warnings of Distress". The study looked at 102 financial episodes in 20 countries.

The Chinese economy grew a faster-than-expected 9.7% in Q1 and its inflation rose to the highest level in almost three years despite government attempts to slow surging growth.

BlackRock's Mark Lyttleton has cut his banking exposure on concerns a heavier burden of regulation and increased capital requirements are clouding the outlook for the sector this year.

Following a week when Japan was rocked by two more devastating earthquakes, Stephen Harker, GLG's star Japan fund manager, explains why he is at odds with optimists who expect the economy to bounce back later this year.