GDP

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

UK GDP contracted 0.3% in the last quarter of 2012, according the second reading of the data.

MULTI-ASSET

The German economy crashed at the end of last year as the crisis in the eurozone spread to the heart of the region.

CHINA'S YEAR OF THE SNAKE

Economic output per person in the UK will not recover to its pre-crisis peak until 2018, according to the National Institute of Economic and Social Research (NIESR).

UK GDP contracted 0.3% in the final quarter of 2012, a worse than expected figure that raises the spectre of a triple-dip recession.

SOAPBOX

UK GDP growth for the third quarter of 2012 has been confirmed at 1% by the Office for National Statistics in its second official reading.