News

The FTSE opened 40 points higher on Friday as positive economic news from Germany and France buoyed investors.

German GDP grew 2.2% in the second quarter, the largest gain in more than 20 years.

Keith Skeoch, the head of Standard Life Investments, has predicted the FTSE 100 will close the year at 6,000 points, 14% higher than yesterday's closing figure.

M&G's Richard Woolnough discusses what the future holds for the global economy on the third anniversary of the credit crunch.

Aberdeen's multi-manager team has boosted exposure to Europe and Asia across its equity portfolios in the past few weeks after reducing its US allocation.

Tineke Frikkee, manager of the £2.52bn Newton Higher Income fund, expects BP to resume dividend payments as early as February next year.

Emerging markets guru Mark Mobius believes fears of a double-dip recession are good for markets, as it will force global central banks to remain liquid.

Prudential's 1.5% rise in early trading, following better than expected first-half profits, helped the FTSE edge 0.3% higher to 5257.79 points.

Prudential CEO Tidjane Thiam says he "very much regrets" the collapse of the insurer's giant $35.5bn AIA takeover, which has cost the company £377m.

Former member of the Monetary Policy Committee (MPC) David Blanchflower says the UK will need "a lot more" quantitative easing (QE) to avoid a double dip recession.