greece

Japan has said it will consider helping to save Greece as part of a wider bailout plan as it looks to avert a crisis in global growth.

European officials are reportedly working on a grand plan to save the eurozone involving a major bank recapitalisation, giving the bailout fund several trillion euros of firepower, and a possible Greek default.

HSBC European Growth manager Nick Dowell is continuing to overweight European banking stocks, suggesting it may not be possible to kick Greece out of the eurozone.

HOW DID WE GET HERE?

London markets made gains this morning despite S&P's move to downgrade Italy's sovereign debt rating from A+ to A, with shares recovering some ground lost on Monday.

GREECE DEFAULTS BUT STAYS IN EURO

European leaders have assured Greece its future remains within the eurozone but warned it must implement the tough austerity measures set out as part of its rescue plan.

French bank shares have dropped after ratings agency Moody's downgraded two institutions due to their exposure to the eurozone debt crisis.

Artemis' James Foster expects Greece will exit the eurozone within six months - and possibly as soon as December - with Europe forced to act because the Greeks are unwilling to tackle the crisis.

PREPARING FOR GREECE TO EXIT THE EURO