Economics / Markets

US and European markets tumbled this afternoon amid fresh concerns over the state of the US economy.

Following the market lows in early March 2009, there was a strong rally in UK equities as confidence grew throughout last year over the increasing signs of a recovery despite the economy struggling to leave recession.

Savers with money in Northern Rock will lose the government's 100% guarantee on their deposits in three months' time.

The FTSE opened marginally higher this morning, rising by 18.7 points, or 0.4%, to 5333.79.

US stock markets opened sharply lower in early trading following negative consumer and house price data.

Sterling fell sharply today after Bank of England Governor Mervyn King labeled the UK economic recovery "fragile".

The FTSE opened more than 30 points higher Tuesday thanks in part to an 11% share price jump for builders' supplier Wolseley.

Britain must not raise taxes on wealth creators any further if it wants inward investment to spur recovery, one of the world's leading competitiveness experts says.

The Liberal Democrats will today challenge the government to reveal how much money part-nationalised RBS and rival Lloyds have lent since a state bailout 12 months ago.

The chief executive of part-nationalised bank Lloyds Banking Group has decided to forgo his bonus for 2009 amid the public backlash against bonuses.