GDP

Does Europe warrant inclusion in portfolios yet? Mona Shah, assistant manager on Rathbones' multi-asset portfolios, examines the fundamentals.

The UK economy delivered growth of 0.3% in the first quarter of the year, the final reading from the Office for National Statistics has confirmed, but revisions to previous readings mean there was no 'double-dip' recession.

The British Chambers of Commerce(BCC) has upgraded its long-term growth forecast for the UK, but warned the economy still faces domestic and overseas challenges.

A-HA!

A new academic paper suggests an influential study used to argue the case for austerity contains a number of flaws - including a simple Excel spreadsheet error.

EUROZONE

The Bank of England has opted not to implement further quantitative easing and held interest rates at 0.5% for the 49th consecutive month.

The third reading of UK's GDP growth for Q4 2012 has confirmed a 0.3% contraction between the third and fourth quarter.

The global economic recovery will slow this year unless the US averts $85bn (£56bn) in spending cuts that start today, the International Monetary Fund has said.

GRADUATES