News

The Chinese economy grew a faster-than-expected 9.7% in Q1 and its inflation rose to the highest level in almost three years despite government attempts to slow surging growth.

Ministers from Brazil, Russia, India and China are calling for stricter regulation of derivative markets as volatile commodity prices pose a threat to financial stability.

Sterling has strengthened against the dollar as a report revealed UK consumer confidence increased in March from record lows, boosting the Bank of England's case for an interest rate hike.

The FTSE 100 is in the red in early trading with miners leading it lower despite gains overnight in the US.

Goldman Sachs will be referred to the US Department of Justice for allegedly making "misleading and inaccurate" comments to Congress over its role in the financial crisis.

J.P. Morgan Chase & Co. has reported quarterly profit rose 67%, but revenue at the US bank remains under pressure amid sluggish loan growth and mounting mortgage costs.

BP has extended the deadline for completing a share swap deal with Russian oil giant Rosneft until 16 May, as reports suggest talks with AAR about the British oil firm buying out its Russian partner in joint venture TNK-BP have "more or less collapsed"....

Chinese protectionist measures and the developed world's debt levels are major headwinds for European investors, says Alexander Darwall, manager of the £1.7bn Jupiter European fund.

Japan's government has downgraded its economy growth prospects in the wake of the devastation caused by last month's earthquake and tsunami.

European markets rallied this afternoon after a cautious start to the week as commodity prices rebounded.