Inflation

Japan's Nikkei 225 index has closed down 1.5% as investors took profits ahead of the conclusion of a key central bank meeting tomorrow.

Japanese markets have jumped almost 5% in the first three weeks of the year - almost unheard of for the region - in anticipation of a reversal of the decade and half long slump into deflation.

Inflation may have held steady at 2.7% in the final month of 2012, but this year it is expected to rear its ugly head once more as the impact of falling sterling pushes up import costs.

The UK's main inflation rate has remained at 2.7% for the third month in a row, broadly in line with economists' expectations, despite steep rises in energy bills.

SHOULD YOU BE WORRIED ABOUT INFLATION?

The Office for National Statistics (ONS) has decided to retain the way the retail prices index(RPI) is calculated after a consultation with the industry.

Psigma's chief investment officer Tom Becket outlines his five core investment themes for the next five years, with uncorrelated yield and emerging market growth featuring on his list of priorities.

The current equity rally is sustainable but investors should not forget the longer-term impact of inflationary policies , according to Jupiter CIO John Chatfeild-Roberts.

UK CPI inflation remained at 2.7% in October, broadly in line with economists' expectations, as RPI inflation fell from 3.2% to 3%.

The incoming Bank of England governor Mark Carney has sparked speculation he will push for the removal of the UK's CPI inflation target if the mediocre recovery in the UK takes another tumble, but is it a good plan?