Economics / Markets

The UK and US are 'lying' about rising inflation, while most other governments around the world acknowledge this is happening, says Jim Rogers.

David Cameron is expected to say the economy is making "progress" during a speech at the World Economic Forum today, despite figures showing it shrank during the final quarter of last year.

Leading Tokyo shares fell on Friday after ratings agency Standard & Poor's (S&P) downgraded Japan's creditworthiness.

French President Nicolas Sarkozy has said France and Germany will never let the euro fail.

Company updates have had a good reception but London's top share index is pausing for breath after recent strong gains.

The Dow Jones broke through the 12,000 level for the first time since June 2008 on Wednesday, following calls for a cut in corporate taxes and a unanimous vote by policymakers to maintain a $600bn bond-buying plan.

Billionaire investor George Soros has warned the Chancellor's austerity budget will return the UK to recession unless the government curbs its spending cuts.

Martin Weale has called for an immediate 0.25% increase in the Bank of England (BoE) base interest rate, echoing the view of Monetary Policy Committee (MPC) hawk Andrew Sentance.

London's leading share index rose this morning, recovering from yesterday's fall following news the UK economy contracted by 0.5% in the fourth quarter of last year.

The auction of €5bn ($4.3bn) of five-year bonds to fund Stage One of the Irish loan package was subject to huge demand from Asian and Middle Eastern investors yesterday.