dollar

Gold has risen to hit a record $1,498.90 an ounce, with demand fuelled by a declining dollar and concerns following S&P's outlook downgrade for the US.

The index of 100 leading shares was down a third of a percent just after opening, as the markets await figures for UK growth.

The US dollar has sunk to a fresh 15-year low against the yen after the G20 nations pledged to avoid a currency war.

China has raised interest rates for the first time since 2007 in a bid to stifle inflation and dampen down its overheating property market.

The pound has fallen to a five month low against the euro amid a rising claimant count and falling consumer confidence.

The Japanese yen has hit a 15-year high against the US dollar against a backdrop of inaction by the Government.

Andrew Sentance voted against the rest of the Monetary Policy Committee (MPC) for a rise in interest rates for the third consecutive month, minutes from the August meeting show.

US asset manager WisdomTree has listed an actively managed ETF investing in emerging markets local debt, on NYSE Arca.

BlackRock veteran Bob Doll predicts the US stock market could achieve annualised returns of 8% over the next decade.

Several of Spain's 18 savings banks have failed tests to see how they would cope with worsened economic conditions, according to reports.