Mike Riddell, member of the M&G bond team, explains why the UK is now starting to face a slowdown.

US stocks opened sharply lower today as investors await a crucial statement from the Federal Reserve which could signal further quantitative easing measures.

F&C Asset Management has rejected accusations of bullying in a high court battle over a hedge fund joint venture hit hard during the credit crisis.

Mortgage giant Freddie Mac has asked for $1.8bn in assistance from the US Government after it suffered its fourth consecutive quarterly loss on continued bad home loans.

Advisory firm the Lighthouse Group has offloaded pensions provider City Trustees to Mattioli Woods for £1.85m.

Lloyds chief executive Eric Daniels says the banking giant "did the country a great service" in taking over stricken lender HBOS last year.

The Bank of England is likely to cut the UK's economic growth forecast by 1% for both this year and 2011.

Clive Cowdery's Resolution consolidation vehicle has received 95.5% shareholder take-up of its £2bn rights issue, which will help fund its part acquisition of Axa's UK business.

The Royal Bank of Scotland Group reported a small £9m net profit over the first half of the year, after recording a £1.14bn pre-tax profit in the six-month period.

Schroders posted a £1.8bn net retail inflow in the second quarter of the year, helping to propel its first half net retail sales to £5.1bn.