Global

There are close to 600,000 'millionaire households' in the UK, according to the latest estimates, but, as a share of total households, Britain lags Ireland, Kuwait and Taiwan.

Switzerland's central bank is embroiled in a political storm after it was revealed the wife of the governor sold 500,000 Swiss francs shortly before the authorities intervened to cap the value of the currency.

The FTSE 100 opened flat on Wednesday after closing at its highest level for more than two months last night.

US indices have opened almost 2% higher on the first trading day of 2012 as risk appetite resumes across global markets.

Discretionary fund manager Saltus has launched a global equity fund in an extension of its IFA-focused offering.

(Updated 11:15am) The FTSE 100 is trading more than 1% higher in mid-morning trading on Tuesday afte closing 2011 down 5.5% for the year.

A draft prospectus providing details of securities which may be created by the EFSF has acknowledged the breakup of the euro in its list of risk factors.

Jason Hepner, investment director for global strategy at Standard Life Investments, looks at whether your clients could benefit from investing in this diverse region

The eurozone faces a "mild" recession in the first half of next year, restricting full-year economic growth in the region to just 0.1%, according to Ernst & Young.

Heavy selling of the euro saw it tumble through the $1.30 mark versus the US dollar late this morning to its lowest level since early January.