News

The US Federal Reserve voted to hold interest rates at record lows as it admitted Europe's debt problems could slow American economic growth.

Billionaire investor George Soros says Germany is the "main protagonist" in the euro's crisis.

Lombard St Research has expressed concerns Spain may have to leave the euro if it does not take drastic steps to improve its public finances.

The FTSE 100 opened higher, up 0.35% or 18.22 points to 5,196.74 following Wall Street's late rally.

Buyout vehicle Resolution has bought Axa Life for 2.75bn in a deal part-funded by a rights issue of approximately £2.05bn.

Eurozone growth slowed for the second month in a row in June, according to the Purchasing Managers Index (PMI).

A member of the Bank of England's Monetary Policy Committee (MPC) has called for a rise in interest rates for the first time in almost two years.

Writing in the Guardian, business secretary Vince Cable says the impact of yesterday's Budget will be "painful".

Gartmore head of multi-management Tony Lanning has added the BlackRock European Dynamic fund to his portfolios, reducing his long-term underweight in the region.

Axa Framlington's Nigel Thomas has boosted mid-cap exposure in his £1.6bn UK Select Opportunities fund on expectations of superior growth prospects for the FTSE 250 this year.