greece

Lawyers in the United States were predicting a wave of legal action last night in the wake of the $1bn fraud charge brought against Goldman Sachs by the US Securities and Exchange Commission.

Barings' Colin Harte believes fixed income investors favouring corporate debt over gilts have become too concerned about the fragility of the UK's AAA rating.

The Centre for Economics and Business Research has increased its forecast of economic growth in Britain, predicting GDP would be about £20bn higher by 2020 if the Conservatives gain power.

Morgan Stanley has warned Germany could withdraw from the eurozone as the fallout from the Greek debt bailout continues.

Greece sold more debt than expected today as investors snapped up the issuance of short-term government bonds.

Euphoria over a joint EU-IMF rescue deal for Greece worth €45bn (£39.8bn) appears short-lived, after angry reactions in Germany and continued concerns among bond investors any bail-out merely delays the worst.

The FTSE has continued Friday's sharp rise in early trading - up 20.99 points (0.36%) at 5,791.97 - buoyed by the eurozone's agreement to offer a £30bn loan package to Greece.

Eurozone members have pledged up to €30bn in loans to Greece over the next year to help dodge a debt crisis which is seen as most serious challenge in the euro's existence.

Old Mutual Asset Managers' Stewart Cowley plans to remove all gilt and sterling exposure from his global portfolios unless tough austerity measures are made following the general election.

Greece's financial problems continue to deteriorate as its four biggest banks have been forced to ask for State aid and government bond yields rise to fresh highs.