Economics / Markets

Aviva is to reduce its staff numbers by 2,000 over the next six months - a 6% reduction of the global workforce.

A growing trend towards excessive risk-taking and lack of action to repair broken bank balance sheets could trigger a "chronic" new phase in the financial crisis, the International Monetary fund has warned.

Apple shares have hit their lowest levels in a year and half, after a supplier hinted at a slowdown in iPhone and iPad production.

GOSLING'S GROUSE

Mervyn King, the outgoing governor of the Bank of England, has warned central banks risk becoming more politicised as a result of their efforts to tackle the banking crisis and subsequent recessions.

A new academic paper suggests an influential study used to argue the case for austerity contains a number of flaws - including a simple Excel spreadsheet error.

Hedge fund supremo John Paulson has reportedly lost almost $1bn of his personal wealth since the end of last week after the price of gold crashed.

George Osborne's austerity plan came under attack today from the International Monetary Fund (IMF) after it downgraded the outlook for UK growth by more than any other advanced economy.

UK consumer prices index (CPI) inflation remained unchanged at 2.8% in the year to March, after a slight rise during February.

The US' three major equity markets dropped overnight after a bomb blast at the Boston Marathon shook markets and weak data from China continued to weigh on stocks.