Economics / Markets

America's largest stock markets reported very light trading volumes on Monday as a flurry of M&A activity did little to reassure investors of the strength of the global recovery.

Retail giant Marks and Spencer has announced Robert Swannell will take over as chairman of the company in 2011.

Every single market movement and utterance from an economic sage is being met with speculation about the dreaded double-dip.

A number of the UK's largest banks have warned the proposed changes to the country's regulatory system - including the scrapping of the FSA - will leave too much power in the hands of a small group.

The FTSE 100 was up 0.18% to 5,204.65 in early trading as bid activity in the financial sector boosted the index.

Interest rates could rise substantially to 8% within two years to stave off soaring inflation, new research suggests.

The FTSE 100 opened at 5,211, rising close to 6 points or 0.11% in early trading following a flurry of M&A activity.

Greece is set to receive the second instalment of a rescue loan provided by the EU and IMF following the country's progress in cutting its deficit.

The FTSE 100 and other major global indices are in sharp decline today on the back of poor US unemployment data.

The banking sector's warnings that tighter regulation will throttle the recovery have been rejected by the body designing the new safeguards.