Economics / Markets

A $3.7bn acquisition by consumer products giant Unilever led European markets higher in early Monday trade, the FTSE adding 0.2%.

FSA director of enforcement Margaret Cole has been named as one of Europe's most influential women for the second year running.

Global stocks rallied on Friday on better eurozone news and stronger-than-expected manufacturing numbers in the US.

The FTSE 100 opened lower this morning, down 0.31% to 5,529, as miners saw falls across the board.

An increase in jobless claims in America exacerbated negative investor sentiment on Thursday, sending global stocks lower.

Ireland's GDP contracted 1.2% in the second quarter and confounded analysts' expectations of 0.5% growth, according to an initial estimate released today.

George Osborne has been accused of undermining the Treasury's new economic watchdog by appointing one of his own officials to run operations.

Fidelity has dismissed fears of a double-dip and has urged investors to look beyond scare-mongering headlines and place economic figures in context.

Dr Andrew Sentance remains the lone member of the Bank of England Monetary Policy Committee to argue for an increase in interest rates.

The US central bank has decided not to take further action to rejuvenate the country's economy but hinted it may do more later if needed.