News

Mining stocks slumped in afternoon trading as Rio Tinto said it has seen slowing demand from China, its best customer, while Australia implemented a controversial mining tax.

Guillermo Osses, manager of HSBC's $1bn GEM Debt Total Return fund, has reduced risk in his portfolio, expecting emerging market debt to pull back after a strong start to the year.

CPI annual inflation fell to 3.4% in February, down from 3.6% in January, according to the Office for National Statistics.

VCTs

IHS Global Insight outlines the six policy measures Chancellor George Osborne is likely to reveal in tomorrow's Budget.

BUDGET 2012

The government has launched a scheme to help small businesses access cheaper finance through discounts on loans.

US bank stress tests last week have boosted the outlook for the global banking sector, said John Yakas, manager of the Polar Capital Financial Opportunities fund, who urged investors not to miss the rally.

The Office for Budget Responsibility will revise up its growth forecasts for the UK economy in Wednesday's Budget, the FT reports.

Cash positions across bond funds are creeping up as managers struggle to maintain liquidity in an environment of restricted bank lending.