US

GDP figures for Q4 2010 have been revised up to 3.1% from the 2.8% forecast last month, helped by a rise in consumer spending and businesses restocking their inventories.

The Dow Jones posted strong gains in early trading on Thursday as a cooling operation at the tsunami-hit Fukushima Daiichi nuclear plant eased investor fears.

US GDP grew to an annualised rate of 3.2% in Q4 2010, driven by consumer spending.

The Dow Jones broke through the 12,000 level for the first time since June 2008 on Wednesday, following calls for a cut in corporate taxes and a unanimous vote by policymakers to maintain a $600bn bond-buying plan.

The combination of high valuations for US bonds and large retail inflows suggests a bubble about to burst, says Henderson's Simon Ward.

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.

Laurent Kssis at LaBranche Structured Products Europe (LSPE) discusses European ETF trades for the week ending 19 December

Motilal Oswal is set to list its MOSt Shares M50 ETF in Asia and the US in domestic currencies, in conjunction with local partners.

Aegon global chief executive Alex Wynaendts has unveiled plans for the life company to restructure and secure a stronger share of the Asian and US life and protection markets.

The Irish Republic is poised to unveil the details of a severe austerity budget later, part of a deal to secure an €85bn bail-out from the European Union and International Monetary Fund.