Tesco festive trade 'disappoints'
Tesco reports a fall in UK sales over Christmas and says it expects "minimal" profit growth in the coming year......
Bank holds interest rates at 0.5%
The Bank of England holds UK interest rates at 0.5% and no new quantitative easing measures are announced......
British Gas and SSE drop prices
British Gas announces a 5% cut in its domestic electricity prices with immediate effect, while SSE will reduce gas tariffs on 26 March......
RBS to cut 3,500 jobs in shake-up
The Royal Bank of Scotland says it is to cut a further 3,500 jobs in the UK and elsewhere as it shrinks its investment bank......
MPs attack rising whiplash claims
The cost of car insurance could be cut if the government restricted the huge number of subjective "whiplash" injury claims, a committee of MPs says......
US retail sales rise in December
US retail sales continue their upward crawl in December, posting a 0.1% monthly rise, according to initial estimates......
Dividend cut as Argos sales fall
Home Retail Group, owner of the Argos and Homebase retail chains, says it will cut its dividend as it reports a further fall in sales......
ECB leaves euro rates unchanged
The European Central Bank (ECB) leaves its key interest rate unchanged at 1.0% at its latest monthly meeting......
Spain's cost of borrowing falls
Spain and Italy both hold bond auctions at which the amount they have to pay to borrow the money falls considerably......
Air Asia X ends European flights
Malaysia's budget airline Air Asia is to end its long-haul flights to Europe and India due to high fuel prices and weak demand......
Betfair and IOC monitor 2012 bets
Online betting exchange Betfair agrees to exchange data about irregular or suspicious betting on London 2012 Olympic events......
Festive sales blow for Thorntons
Chocolate maker Thorntons says sales over the Christmas trading period were below expectations......
Ocado stock up after sales growth
Shares in online grocer Ocado, which mostly sells Waitrose goods, jump by a third after a jump in sales during 2011......
Energy pushes up German inflation
Rising energy prices pushed Germany's inflation rate up to 2.3% in 2011, the highest since 2008, official figures show......
China's inflation rate stays high
China's rate of inflation is little changed at 4.1% in December, despite government efforts to rein in price growth......
Japan 'to cut Iran oil imports'
Japan will take "concrete steps" to reduce its oil dependency on Iran, its finance minister announces after a meeting with US Treasury Secretary Timothy Geithner......
HK ranked world's freest economy
Hong Kong retains its position as the world's freest economy, according to a ranking compiled by the Heritage Foundation......
Bookshop drops name apostrophe
High street bookshop Waterstone's announces it is dropping the apostrophe from its name to make it more "versatile" for online use......
Tough times hit maker of Twinkies
The maker of Twinkies, the well-known cream filled sponge cakes, files for bankruptcy protection in the US, citing the economic downturn......
FSA fails to use mystery shoppers
The BBC finds that the Financial Services Authority has not used mystery shoppers to protect consumers for a year and a half......
Wonga backs down on student loans
Payday loan company Wonga removes pages from its website after it was branded "incredibly irresponsible" for targeting students......
Welfare changes 'set to continue'
The government says it will continue with changes to the welfare system, despite defeats in the Lords......
UK industry declined in November
UK industrial output, including factory production, fell in November, figures show, heightening worries over the strength of the economy......
India industrial output rebounds
India's industrial production rebounded in November, government figures show, easing concerns that monetary tightening was hurting growth......
German economy 'probably shrank'
The German economy is likely to have shrunk by 0.25% in the last quarter, but a strong start to 2011 meant it grew by 3% over the year......
Infosys gets rupee earnings boost
Infosys, India's second-largest computer software services firm, reports a 33% rise in profits thanks to a weak rupee......
Nike agrees $1m Indonesia payout
Sportswear group Nike agrees $1m (650,000) compensation in ongoing dispute with workers in Indonesia over unpaid overtime......
EDF Energy to cut gas price by 5%
EDF Energy is to cut its typical gas bill for UK domestic customers by 38, or 5%, in February after raising prices by 15% in November......
Cricketer admits spot bet charge
A former Essex county cricketer admits corruption over spot fixing relating to a 40-over one-day game with Durham in 2009......
Hearts meet wage payment demands
The Scottish Premier League will take no disciplinary action against Hearts as the club meet demands over payments relating to delayed wages......
VIDEO: 'Why we cut back this Christmas'
Shoppers in Southampton have been explaining how they have been prioritising their spending......
VIDEO: RBS to cut 3,500 jobs in shake-up
The Royal Bank of Scotland has said it is planning to cut 3,500 jobs, with most of them to happen this year......
VIDEO: Tesco disappointed by fall in shares
Tesco shares have dropped by nearly 15% after it said it was "disappointed" by its seasonal trading in the UK.....
VIDEO: Pawnbrokers say business is growing
The National Pawnbrokers Association says business is growing by 10% a year, with a new shop opening every week in the UK.....
VIDEO: Tesco festive trade 'disappoints'
Tesco shares have dropped 10% after the retailer said it was "disappointed" by its seasonal trading in the UK......
VIDEO: MPs attack whiplash claims
The cost of car insurance could be cut if the government restricted the huge number of subjective whiplash injury claims, a committee of MPs says......
VIDEO: China inflation rate at 4.1% in December
Chinese inflation was little changed at the end of last year despite government efforts to curb prices.....
Reckless or reliable? The people who work with danger
Why do a job that can cost you your life?.....
Investors eye European bond auctions
Why they are a measure of countries' solvency.....
Taiwan 'needs closer ties with China'
Why Taiwan needs closer economic ties with China.....
What do hedge funds make of the euro?
What do hedge funds make of the euro?.....
Interface controls compete at CES
Gesture, voice and eye-controlled systems take on touch-based systems in Las Vegas.....
Gorilla Glass thins phone screens
The Gorilla Glass team upgrade their smartphone screens.....
Round-up of retailers' Christmas
Which retailers fared best this Christmas?.....
U.S. Day Ahead: JPMorgan to kick off bank earnings
Jan. 12 - Investment bank JPMorgan starts the financial sector's reporting season. Analysts expect the company to show a decline in quarterly earnings from a year earlier......
Trading at Noon: Wall St. flat on U.S. data
Jan. 12 - Strong bond auctions in Europe buoyed Wall Street stocks, but weaker-than-expected U.S. data and a profit warning from energy major Chevron weighed on sentiment......
ECB: cheap money offer is working
Jan.12 - The European Central Bank's flood of cheap three-year money is helping the euro zone's banking system substantially and supporting confidence in the bloc's economy said it's President Mario Draghi after holding interest rates at 1 percent. S.....
Electric cars seek energy at auto show
Jan 12 - Ford unveiled at least five new electric or partially electric models at the Detroit Auto Show, but other global auto makers are energized as well, rolling out new concept cars, including a few sleek and sexy models. Deborah Gembara reports .....
Europe Day Ahead: Debt markets focus on Italian auction
Jan. 12 - The ECB keeps rates on hold while it assesses the impact of the policy measures it unleashed last year. Insider previews Friday's key Italian auction......
Tesco plunges on poor sales
Jan.12 - Tesco has issued its first ever profit warning, sending shares in the British grocers tumbling on fears the world's third-biggest retailer would launch a price war to fight back from its worst Christmas in decades. Ciara Sutton reports......
Greek debt crisis kids in care
Jan.12 - Greece's financial crisis is being blamed for the rising number of children being put into care or abandoned by poverty stricken families, no longer able to look after them. Hayley Platt reports......
RBS takes knife to investment arm
Jan.12 - The UK's Royal Bank of Scotland says it will cut another 4,450 jobs as it bows to pressure from the UK government to shut down risky operations and prepare for tougher international regulations. Hayley Platt reports......
Italian, Spanish debt sales boost markets
Jan.12 - European shares briefly hit a 5-month high after a successful Spanish bond auction, and after investors demanded half of what they did a month ago to buy Italian one-year government debt. Joanna Partridge reports.....
Resurgent Sunderland face tough Chelsea test
New boss Martin O'Neill hopes his Sunderland revival continues when they face Chelsea. Plus Liverpool v Stoke, Newcastle v QPR and a preview of the Australian Open tennis......
Morning Briefing: Retail sales, jobless claims disappointing
Jan. 12 - Retail sales excluding autos fell for the first time since May 2010, and weekly jobless claims rose much more than expected to 399,000......
Banks may tap ECB for 1tln: NAB
Jan. 12 - Full analysis of the ECB decision to keep rates on hold at 1% with Tom Vosa. The head of market economics at NAB says European banks could tap the ECB for a trillion euros at next month's tender......
Europe must support growth: Irish PM
Newsmaker event in London, Ireland's Prime Minister Enda Kenny said Europe must create the conditions to foster economic growth and spur job creation. Matt Cowan reports.....
Irish PM hopes for tentative bond market return in 2013
Ireland will make a tentative return to the bond markets in 2013 and is confident it can emerge from the bailout, according to its Prime Minister, Enda Kenny......
Irish PM refuses to be drawn on referendum prospects
The Irish Prime Minister urges fiscal discipline across Europe to maintain credibility and says any decision on a referendum must wait......
Tesco's shock profit warning
Jan.12 - Tesco, the world's third-biggest retailer, issued a profit warning after reporting its worst Christmas sales performance for decades, with the prospect of a price war sending shares in British supermarkets tumbling.Ciara Sutton report.....
Irish PM outlines 2012 challenges
exclusively on the country's economy, bailout and road to recovery......
Explosive China growth for Rolls a thing of the past -CEO
From Beijing to New York, more millionaires than ever are splashing out on Roll Royce cars, but the 'explosive' pace of growth in 2011 is unlikely be repeated this year, says CEO Torsten Muller-Otvos......
Reuters Today: Top stories and analysis for Thursday morning
Jan. 12 - The top stories on Thursday including RBS cutting jobs, weak Tesco sales, ECB/BoE meetings and a Spanish bond auction......
Breakingviews: China between rock and hard place with Iran
Breakingviews......
China's Dec inflation lowest for 2011
Jan. 12 - China's December inflation rate at its lowest for 2011, but the full-year average rate is still 5.4 percent, well above Beijing's target of 4 percent. Arnold Gay reports......
Japan backs sanctions on Iran
Jan. 12 - Geithner wins Japan's support on Iran sanctions; Tokyo to steadily reduce its orders of Iranian oil. Arnold Gay reports......
Media Bite: Tebow, Beyonce & Jay-Z, Apple TV
Media Editor Peter Lauria breaks down the week in media business news for you......
Uptick in foreclosures is coming soon: RealtyTrc's Blomquist
Jan. 12 - Drop in foreclosures was due to delays in procedures not improvement in the market or economy, says RealtyTrac's Daren Blomquist. The only way out of the housing crisis is to let the market absorb distressed properties, he adds......
Reuters Breakingviews: Predictions for 2012
Breakingviews look at what 2012 might hold for the euro, Obama and how to survive animal finance metaphors......
Fresh vegetables bear fruit for Booker
Cash-and-carry wholesaler Booker saw its third-quarter sales grow as demand for its fresh fruits and vegetables drew customers to its outlets.<img width='1' height='1' src='http://telegraph.feedsportal.com/c/32726/f/568300/s/1bc54c08/mf.gif' borde.....
Kashya Hildebrand apologises to the Swiss over currency trade
Kashya Hildebrand - the wife of Switzerland's former central bank chief - has made a startling TV apology to the Swiss people and her husband for the $504,000 (324,067) currency transaction that led to his resignation amid accusations of insider trad.....
RBS chief Stephen Hester is acting in taxpayers' interests
Royal Bank of Scotland is what happens when an investment bank dies. Stephen Hester and Sir Philip Hampton, chief executive and chairman, are decomissioning a highly toxic core and the inevitable fallout is job losses.<img width='1' height='1' src.....
London Metal Exchange to consider bids next month
The London Metal Exchange said it has received several serious bids and will consider the takeover proposals at a board meeting next month.<img width='1' height='1' src='http://telegraph.feedsportal.com/c/32726/f/568300/s/1bc54c0b/mf.gif' border='.....
Tesco has a lot of work ahead and can't blame all its problems on the past
It takes a long time to turn round a big business and they don't come much bigger than Tesco. The company has been driving profits at the expense of customers and putting that right is no easy task.<img width='1' height='1' src='http://telegraph.f.....
UK grew 0.1pc in fourth quarter, says think tank Niesr
The British economy just about scraped growth in the fourth quarter of 2011 according to the National Institute of Economic and Social Research (NIESR), but weaker data elsewhere darkened the economic outlook.<img width='1' height='1' src='http://.....
Tesco shares crash as its crown slips after profit warning
Almost 5bn was wiped off the value of Tesco's shares after the company issued a profit warning and admitted it needed to spend "hundreds of millions" of pounds improving customers' shopping trips.<img width='1' height='1' src='http://telegraph.fee.....
Debt crisis: as it happened January 12, 2012
Think tank warns that UK economy barely grew in the final quarter of 2011, as ECB President says giving lenders access to cheap, three-year loans had eased "major funding constraints" among European banks.<img width='1' height='1' src='http://tele.....
The rise and fall of investment banking at RBS
Sir Fred Goodwin did not understand investment banking. Not just that, he did not like investment banking.<img width='1' height='1' src='http://telegraph.feedsportal.com/c/32726/f/568300/s/1bc52ed1/mf.gif' border='0'/><br/><br/><.....
American Airlines sized up by Delta and TPG
Delta Air Lines and private equity giant TPG Capital are reportedly considering separate bids for bankrupt American Airlines parent company AMR.<img width='1' height='1' src='http://telegraph.feedsportal.com/c/32726/f/568300/s/1bc4d838/mf.gif' bor.....
Debt crisis: live
ECB President says giving lenders access to cheap, three-year loans had eased "major funding constraints" among European banks which have to refinance 200bn of debt in the first quarter of this year.<img width='1' height='1' src='http://telegraph......
BSkyB slides as trio of brokers turn cautious
A trio of downgrades took their toll on BSkyB, with the broadcaster's shares continuing to suffer amid anxiety over the forthcoming auction for the rights to screen Premier League football.<img width='1' height='1' src='http://telegraph.feedsporta.....
ECB lending rule change could make an extra 10 trillion available to banks
The European Central Bank is considering a major easing in the rules on the assets it will accept from struggling lenders in return for loans that could expand by more than 10 trillion (8.3 trillion).<img width='1' height='1' src='http://telegraph.....
Treasury jumps on 'fake tradesmen' tax avoidance
The Treasury has closed a tax avoidance scheme that could have cost 1.5bn in lost tax receipts<img width='1' height='1' src='http://telegraph.feedsportal.com/c/32726/f/568300/s/1bc4651f/mf.gif' border='0'/><br/><br/><a href="http.....
Diageo to expand Guinness brewery with 128m investment
Diageo is to invest 153m (128m) in its flagship St James's Gate Guinness facility in Dublin, in a move that appears to shelve indefinitely the drinks giant's plans for a super brewery in Ireland.<img width='1' height='1' src='http://telegraph.feed.....
Ocado's Christmas cheer is painful for speculators in its shares
Ocado Group shares leapt by a third as a strong Christmas helped to reassure investors following last month's profit warning.<img width='1' height='1' src='http://telegraph.feedsportal.com/c/32726/f/568300/s/1bc45f44/mf.gif' border='0'/>.....
Mothercare has 'mediocre' Christmas sales
A decline in Mothercare's UK sales slowed over the Christmas period after the baby products group cut prices.<img width='1' height='1' src='http://telegraph.feedsportal.com/c/32726/f/568300/s/1bc4593b/mf.gif' border='0'/><br/><br/>&.....
Festive cheer for New Look after challenging year
New Look, the value clothing retailer, reported sales growth over the festive period as Christmas shoppers updated their winter wardrobes for the belated onset of cold weather.<img width='1' height='1' src='http://telegraph.feedsportal.com/c/32726.....
BMW halts plan to use temps 'get out' clause
BMW has said it will hold off on its plan to use a legal get-out clause to avoid paying temps the same rate as permanent staff.<img width='1' height='1' src='http://telegraph.feedsportal.com/c/32726/f/568300/s/1bc40602/mf.gif' border='0'/><b.....
The battle to discover new antibiotics
British pharmaceutical giants GlaxoSmithKline and AstraZeneca are two companies left in a shrinking field of research into new antibiotics, which are slow and expensive to develop.<img width='1' height='1' src='http://telegraph.feedsportal.com/c/3.....
Halfords bike sales fail to offset weak motoring arm
Mild winter weather hit sales at Halfords over Christmas as Britons spent less maintaining their vehicles.<img width='1' height='1' src='http://telegraph.feedsportal.com/c/32726/f/568300/s/1bbffdc9/mf.gif' border='0'/><br/><br/><.....
Groupama to sell UK business
French insurance group Groupama has put its UK business up for sale in a move that could raise up to 300m.<img width='1' height='1' src='http://telegraph.feedsportal.com/c/32726/f/568300/s/1bc3eac7/mf.gif' border='0'/>.....
FTSE 100: Blue-chips give up gains on retail's Black Thursday
The benchmark index retreated on disappointing US data, as poor festive sales from Tesco, Argos and Homebase-owner Home Retail Group, Halfords, and Mothercare weighed on sentiment.<img width='1' height='1' src='http://telegraph.feedsportal.com/c/3.....
US retail sales fall flat in December
US shoppers shied away from department store sales and cut back on gadget spending during the key Christmas period, as retailers posted their smallest monthly sales rise since the height of the recession in 2008.<img width='1' height='1' src='http.....
Tesco CEO Philip Clarke promises 'big investment' in UK business despite plunge in share price
Philip Clarke, the CEO of Tesco, admits the supermarket got it wrong in its Christmas promotions.<img width='1' height='1' src='http://telegraph.feedsportal.com/c/32726/f/568300/s/1bc2a36f/mf.gif' border='0'/><br/><br/><a href="h.....
