Economics / Markets

Gold soared above $1,900 for the first time overnight as investors continue to flock to the precious metal amid ongoing turmoil in financial markets.

Oil prices fell by more than $3 a barrel yesterday as Libyan rebels gained more ground, lifting hopes that the source of Africa's biggest oil reserves could soon restart exports.

Global markets have made an encouraging start to the week, with the US opening up sharply, following in the footsteps of the FTSE 100.

Equity markets are pricing in a double dip, high-yield looks attractive, and volatility of gold returns are likely to increase, according to head of investment strategy at Barclays Wealth, Kevin Gardiner.

Dramatic stock market movements and disappointing economic data have caused leading economists to downgrade their growth forecasts, but they are still not predicting a recession.

US markets have opened lower as investors take a dim view of Hewlett Packard's latest acquisition and send its shares down 20%.

Public sector net borrowing in July was £20m - a substantial fall from last year's figure of £3.5bn, said the Office for National Statistics (ONS).

The UK's index of 100 leading shares fell 2.76% to below 5,000 this morning, as global markets showed no signs of shaking off fears the West is heading back into recession.

House prices will rise, workers are taxed more than they think, and the recovery is under threat from psychological scarring left by the financial crisis. Our round-up of the news from the nationals.

The FTSE has suffered sharp falls in afternoon trading with banking stocks leading the plunge into the red amid renewed euro debt concerns.