Economics / Markets

Nationals round-up: ‘Greedy' IFAs, incredible stakeholder pension returns and plenty of love for index-linked savings certificates...

Warnings from the White House, an RBS share sale, fake mortgages and PPI winners - our round-up of today's national newspapers.

European markets opened lower on news of IMF chief Dominique Strauss-Kahn's arrest on rape charges, amid fears his absence from eurozone talks will delay bailout plans for Portugal and Greece.

Dominique Strauss-Kahn, the head of the IMF, has agreed to undergo medical tests over allegations of sexually assaulting a hotel maid in New York, in a case which has thrown European debt crisis talks into disarray.

The London Stock Exchange (LSE) has seen a 65% rise in pre-tax profits to £238.2m.

The FTSE 100 has opened in positive territory after a commodities bounce-back lifted Wall Street yesterday.

Federal Reserve chairman Ben Bernanke has warned of a Lehman-style meltdown if the US Congress uses the national debt limit as a "bargaining chip".

Exits at the FPC, more trouble for Glencore, an FSA probe at Eddie Stobart's, and a rush for inflation-beating savings bonds - our round-up of the nationals' top finance stories.

Government austerity measures and high levels of consumer debt pose "strong headwinds" for the UK's economic recovery, the IMF has warned.

Markets across Europe fell at the start of trading as an earthquake measuring 5.1 on the Richter scale hit Spain and commodities were heavily sold off in the US.