Economics / Markets

The retail prices index should not be brought in line with consumer prices index, AXA Investment Managers has argued, ahead of a decision by the Office for National Statistics later this week.

The FTSE 100 has started to recover during this morning's trading, after its first poor finish since the start of the year on Monday.

The euro crisis is over, according to European Commission president José Manuel Barroso.

Global equity markets have eased back from last week's highs despite European financials rallying after regulators softened proposed new rules.

FIVE THINGS

Just under a third (31%) of financial advisers believe that stagnant or negative UK GDP growth will be the biggest challenge to investment growth in 2013, according to the latest Barings Investment Barometer.

International banks have given greater flexibility and a longer deadline to meet Basel III liquidity rules.

UK interest rates will stay at historic lows for four more years as the economy struggles to return to normal growth levels, Citi has predicted.

The Chancellor is on a collision course with bond markets over plans to change how inflation is calculated. The switch could bring the exchequer a £3.8bn windfall from a reduction in interest payments.

Senior backbench MPs are being lobbied to set up a powerful US-style committee that would scrutinise the public finances as a whole and try to head off major fiscal disasters.