Inflation

Official inflation figures due out today are misleading the public, according to international experts who say the data understates the true increase in the cost of living.

There is a "real chance" the Bank of England will raise interest rates as early as next week, says Skandia, with subsequent hikes pushing rates up to 3% by the end of next year.

Eurozone inflation rose to a higher-than-expected 2.4% in January.

With fears the gold price will continue to rise, Joanna Faith looks at alternative inflation hedges.

Inflation edged closer towards 4% in December as the rising cost of food and oil products continued to hit the price of goods and services.

WHY THE UK MARKET WILL RISE IN 2011

Ruth Lea, economic advisor to the Arbuthnot Banking Group and senior fellow of the Adam Smith Institute, says 2011 holds some room for optimism but overall the near future isn't bright.

The UK's GDP growth will be slow in the first half of 2011 but will start to pick up in the latter part of the year, according to economics research firm IHS Global Insight.

Sterling touched a three-month low against the dollar before rebounding as the Monetary Policy Committee (MPC) revealed continued division on interest rates while UK growth was revised down.

Consumer price inflation remains well above the government's target after reaching 3.3% in November.