On Wall Street, the Dow Jones followed gains in stock markets across Europe.

The number of independent financial advisers listed on Unbiased.co.uk has fallen 9% in June from last year, the professional advice search engine says.

Problems with pension transfers are becoming more common, and accounted for one in five complaints received by the Pensions Ombudsman in the last financial year.

In London, markets experienced strong, early growth, with banks and miners leading the pack.

Pension savers could be risking losses of up to £1,400 when they turn their pension pot into retirement income because of annuitisation delays, Virgin Money research suggests.

Confidence about job prospects among UK financial services workers improved in July, according to a survey.

Brewin Dolphin is to open two new offices this summer, bringing the total number of branches operated by the private client investment manager to 40.

IFAs shunned commercial property facilities when choosing SIPPs during 2008 with their major priority being FSA approval for the products, according to figures from Defaqto.

Lloyds Banking Group has hired Peter Curran to head up its intermediary business.

MW Pensions has been revealed as one of the firms being investigated as part of a £2.5m pension tax fraud.