The newly-formed Office for Budget Responsibility (OBR) has downgraded the UK's economic growth projections for next year.
The Bank of England's Monetary Policy Committee (MPC) today held interest rates at their historic low of 0.5%.
The European Union yesterday pledged to go it alone with a banking levy amid continuing disagreements over agreeing a worldwide plan.
Prudential has declined to comment on whether its chief executive, Tidjane Thiam, would receive a bonus this year after the failed bid he fronted for AIA cost shareholders an estimated £300m.
The Dow Jones has opened trading in negative territory with yesterday's surge petering out as cautious investors look to keep hold of profits ahead of the long weekend.
The Dow has opened in positive territory after a sense of calm was restored to world markets following yesterday's dramatic falls.
US markets opened lower today amid investor concerns over the eurozone and political turmoil in Korea.
Leading City experts have started raising the prospect of "Great Depression II" amid worries the European economic crisis could trigger a deeper bout of chaos.
The FTSE closed on Thursday deep in negative territory after German Chancellor Angela Merkel stepped up calls for tougher regulation of banks and financial markets.
The Dow plunged 1% in early trade today following German Chancellor Angela Merkel's warning the euro could collapse.