Global

A quick scan of what your clients may have read in the nationals over the weekend...

France's minister for European affairs, Jean Leonetti, has signaled plans for a Europe-wide financial transaction tax will be legalised by the end of 2012, despite opposition from countries including the UK.

International investors are buying record amounts of UK government bonds as the Bank of England's £75bn QE programme spurs demand, with the yield on the ten-year gilt hitting a new record low.

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.