Germany

ON AA

FINANCIAL CRISIS

The German finance minister, Wolfgang Schäuble, is pushing to let Athens default, creating a split in the German government, according to reports.

Fourth quarter eurozone GDP has come in fractionally ahead of expectations but the 0.3% drop will do little to dismiss predictions of a new recession.

COULD IRELAND BE THE RECOVERY PLAY OF 2012?

Investors can continue to buy 10-year debt issued by safe haven governments in 2012, with the risk of losing vast sums diminished, said Kames Capital's David Roberts.

ON EUROPE

Stocks received a lift in afternoon trading as social networking giant Facebook prepares to make what could be one of the largest market debuts in history.

ON JAPAN

Bond heavyweights have begun shorting UK gilts ahead of an expected correction, warning yields have reached ‘extreme' lows.