UK

The UK economy expanded by 0.8% in Q1, slightly below economists' expectations.

Policymakers risk the UK economic recovery stalling if they fail to address its "undue reliance" on consumer spending, the British Chambers of Commerce has said.

The Office for Budget Responsibility (OBR) has raised its forecast for UK economic growth this year as the recovery continues to gather pace.

The size of the overall UK economy will this summer overtake the peak level it was at before the 2008 financial crisis, a business lobby group has said.

Criminal gangs who trick people into investing in worthless shares have been targeted by police in the biggest ever international crackdown on the fraud.

Attitude to property investment sure has changed in recent months

The UK economy grew at 0.7% in the final quarter of 2013, official figures confirmed today, in line with the preliminary estimate, although 2013's overall growth rate was revised down.

SLI's Dynamic Distribution fund manager Lowe expects to increase her property allocation

HSBC shares have fallen almost 5% after full-year results failed to meet market expectations.

Vodafone's sale of its 45% holding in US peer Verizon Wireless could see an extra £10bn invested in UK equities in the coming weeks, according to reports.