Inflation

The Bank of England's Monetary Policy Committee (MPC) has remained split three ways on interest rates, minutes of its latest meeting show.

Inflation rose to its highest level since September 2008 last month, reversing the previous month's retreat and breaking sterling's five-day decline against the dollar.

Andrew Cole, investment manager for the Baring Multi Asset fund, on how much risk investors should be taking with their portfolios

Sterling jumped across the board after the Bank of England's latest report said inflation is likely to remain above target for longer, fuelling expectations the MPC will act sooner to tackle price rises.

Bank of England governor Mervyn King has warned the extended holiday to celebrate the Royal Wedding last month will hurt GDP growth.

Life company pension funds from Scottish Equitable and Scottish Life are among those which have consistently failed to beat inflation over the past decade, despite holding £14bn in savings, according to Hargreaves Lansdown research.

This week: Dr Ana Armstrong, chairman at Distinction Asset Management examines ways to stop inflation eroding returns

US inflation hit 2.7% in March, with rising food and petrol prices pushing the rate up from 2.3% in February.

A record monthly increase in eurozone inflation unexpectedly sent the annual rate to a 29-month high in March, strengthening expectations that the European Central Bank will tighten monetary policy further this year.

Rick Eling, head of investment solutions at Sanlam UK, offers tips on protecting your clients' portfolios against inflation