Economics / Markets

WHO SAYS FINANCE ISN'T SEXY?

A second official estimate of UK GDP has confirmed the economy shrank by 0.2% in the final three months of 2011.

Wealth manager St James's Place (SJP) is rolling out "minimum service standards" for its advisers to ensure trail commission and ongoing fees are being levied fairly.

The Bank of England's Monetary Policy Committee (MPC) was divided over its quantitative easing (QE) programme earlier this month, with two members calling for the asset purchase programme to be increased by £75bn.

Upbeat economic news in the US pushed the Dow Jones through 13,000 on Tuesday, the first time it had been at that level since May 2008.

Chancellor George Osborne has been given a boost ahead of next month's Budget after official figures showed the UK posted its largest budget surplus in four years.

The eurozone sovereign debt crisis poses the greatest risk to investment returns in 2012, say advisers.

The shadow chief secretary to the Treasury, Rachel Reeves, has accused the government of failing to cut inefficiency and borrowing.

Life settlements fund EEA has generated nearly £40m in revenues in the last two months, despite its suspension following "unprecedented" redemption requests.

Greece will receive emergency funding of €130bn after a second bailout of the stricken nation was agreed.