Asian markets rose and the euro extended gains on Monday as better than expected stress tests and strong US earnings boosted investor sentiment.

The UK economy grew twice as fast as economists predicted in the second quarter of 2010 and at the fastest pace in four years as services, manufacturing and construction all rebound.

Asian markets rose in Wednesday trading as investor were given confidence by strong earnings from Apple and China announcing that they may roll back policy-tightening measures later this year.

BP shares fell as much as 5% on Monday amid new fears that a fresh leak was spilling oil into the Gulf of Mexico despite the newly-installed containment cap holding back most of the leak.

With the 19th World Cup officially over in South Africa and with Spain still celebrating their first ever win of the Jules Rimet trophy, all eyes are now turned towards Brazil for the 2014 World Cup.

Asian stocks powered to a three week high today, lead by gains in technology after Intel announced results beating expectations.

Retail figures in the UK rebounded in June, boosted by a heat wave, the World Cup and early summer discounts, according to a survey.

Plans to change the measure of inflation to which pension payments are calculated could mean that millions of private sector pension holders could see their income cut.

Singapore may overtake China this year as Asia’s fastest growing economy putting pressure on policymakers to check inflation with a stronger currency.

The International Monetary Fund raised its global growth forecast for 2010 after a stronger than expected first 6 months of the year.

Luxury retail sales in the US are growing at the fastest pace in four years, signalling that consumers are not concerned with unemployment and depressing data.

Brazil’s central bank has raised interest rates by 0.75% as the country’s continuing high growth is causing some concern over rising prices.

Global investors are becoming less confident that the deal laid down by the eurozone to bail out Greece will contain the country’s deficit.

Lloyds TBS has launched a new account aimed at British expats who are working or have retired overseas.