The US Treasury today issued updated proposals designed to fight offshore tax evasion.

Brewin Dolphin saw a 6% fall in revenues over the 13 weeks to 31 December 2011, although assets under management grew, according to an interim management statement released today.

HM Treasury is pressuring the US government to "carve out" low-risk institutions from FATCA, ahead of a draft paper due this week.

Fears of a period of prolonged inflation are "unfounded", Monetary Policy Committee (MPC) member Adam Posen said, after UK inflation dropped sharply.

NINE WORST ASSET BUBBLES

International investors are buying record amounts of UK government bonds as the Bank of England's £75bn QE programme spurs demand, with the yield on the ten-year gilt hitting a new record low.

We look at key themes and events that have impacted investment over the past year.

UK unemployment rose by 128,000 in the three months to October to 2.64 million, the highest level since 1994.

The government has proposed relaxing the tax rules on Property Authorised Investment Funds (PAIFs) and REITs in a move which may increase the number of funds in this space.

Angela Merkel and Nicholas Sarkozy are set to meet today as political commentators warn Europe is entering the end game for the crisis, which must be resolved this week to save the euro.