The spectre of deflation in Europe is once again back at the forefront of investors' minds today after the latest reading of price movements saw inflation fall to a record low.

The Financial Conduct Authority (FCA) has been grilled by MPs over its decision to approve the appointment of Paul Flowers to chair the Co-operative bank back in 2010.

J.P. Morgan could be hit with another $2bn of fines over the Bernard Madoff Ponzi scheme, according to reports.

ON UK EQUITIES

Vodafone, BP and some less predictable names including a number of UK housebuilders have been tipped to lead the income tables in 2014.

The Financial Conduct Authority (FCA) and the Prudential Regulation Authority (PRA) have launched an investigation into failures at the Co-operative Bank which led to its recent £1.5bn rescue.

Investors are too fixated on tapering in the US and are leaving themselves overexposed to risks across equity markets, according to Investec's Alastair Mundy.

The Guernsey Financial Services Commission (GFSC) has approved the restructure of the suspended EEA Life Settlements fund, in a move which could finally allow investors to exit the fund after a two-year wait.

Stock markets in Asia have started the new year in the red after a lowly first session which saw Chinese shares sell off on weak manufacturing numbers.

Gold is on course to record its worst year for more than three decades following huge falls over 2013.