Economics / Markets

Investors in Charles Stanley saw the value of their shares plummet by more than 10% this morning after the firm issued a profit warning.

Quilter Cheviot, the UK's second-biggest independent wealth management group, has rejected a £600m bid from Old Mutual, according to a report.

Sterling tumbled in overnight trading and was poised for further losses on Monday after the latest poll suggested Scotland is on course for independence.

The European Central Bank has cut its headline interest rate by ten basis points to 0.05%, prompting the euro to slump against the dollar, and said it will begin a long-awaited asset purchase programme in the coming months.

The UK has climbed a place in a major annual economic survey assessing competitiveness and productivity in 144 countries.

Britain's economic recovery will be at risk if Scotland votes for independence next month, the president of Britain's biggest business lobby has warned.

Japan's economy has shown signs of stagnation and some weakness as households spent less and factory output stayed flat in July.

The British Chambers of Commerce (BCC) has upgraded its UK GDP forecast for 2014 but cautioned the recovery may be short-lived unless exports bounce back.

The Bank of England will hold off on hiking rates for six months if it does not act by November - leaving a "clear run" for investors until the general election, Richard Buxton has predicted.

Sector report: Hold your nerve or cut your losses in Japan?