Economics / Markets

US stocks opened higher on the first trading day of the year as investors considered weekend comments from Federal Reserve chairman Ben Bernanke.

Nine out of 10 defined benefit pension schemes are now closed to new entrants as employers continue to move away from the high-cost schemes, a report says.

The FTSE 100 has climbed to a fresh 15-month high of 5,451.79 this morning, with the 0.72% rise continuing the strong gains posted over the festive period.

Storm clouds are gathering over the euro, with the currency expected to fall from the highs seen in 2009, according to Caxton FX.

RBS could be forced to sell some of its estimated £15m art collection amid pressure to cash in non-core assets.

BRITAIN'S economy will finally make it out of recession in the last quarter of 2009, but will perform much less strongly in each of the next three years than the Government is currently forecasting, the CBI will say today.

The FTSE 100 recovered ground this morning after banking stocks took a battering following the Basel Committee's recommendation yesterday banks need to hold significantly more capital reserves to prevent another crisis.

Expectations for inflation in Britain remained unchanged in December, despite the recent rise, figures from the Bank of England show.

Insurers are planning to introduce a new product to help companies limit the financial fall-out when their brands or high-profile spokesmen such as Tiger Woods suffer reputational damage, reports the Financial Times.

The FTSE 100 opened morning trading in positive territory, with financials leading the way.