BUSINESS

Markets open lower as traders consider US spending cut talks and disappointing China manufacturing data.

January retail sales in German grow by 3.1 percent on December, reports Federal Statistics Office.

State-controlled lender earmarks £3.75bn to repay customers mis-sold payment protection insurance.

Little Red to connect Scotland and Manchester to London with 26 daily flights.

China's official and HSBC manufacturing PMI down in February.

Congress adjourns without final decision on $85bn (£56bn) spending cuts.

Consumer prices continued to decline in January, making its difficult for Japan to reach its 2 percent inflation target in the near future.

A purge of pinstripes might sort out some of Britain's toughest social problems, says IBTimes managing editor Julian Kossoff.

British taxpayers would be much better off taking a multi-year view of their 82 percent stake now that the banking game has changed so much.

More money to be spent on infrastructure projects and rural schemes.

The main unit at TNK-BP which is being taken over by Russia’s Rosneft posted a 13% drop in profits

Poll reveals extent of pessimism over state of UK economy within days of AAA credit rating downgrade.

Workers in London's Canary Wharf, home to many global banks, slammed EU plans to cap bankers' bonuses, following agreement in Brussels on Thursday to introduce what would be the world's strictest pay curbs.

PAC finds defence ministry spent £1.5bn on raw materials and consumables in 2012, more than actually needed.

Stephen Hester CEO says RBS has likely mis-sold less interest rate hedging products to SMEs than FSA Pilot Findings

Man Group, the hedge fund manager, said its funds under management had fallen to $55bn.

Research into Britain's high streets shows 1,779 stores closed nationwide in 2012.

State-owned lender sees operating improvements and fewer charges for bad loans but sets aside £1bn for PPI and derivatives mis-selling.

Vehicles, iron and steel, electronics equipment, semiconductors and auto parts help growth.

Haruhiko Kuroda, champion of monetary easing policy, to head Japan's central bank.

Consumer optimism about personal finances at new high in two years.

European Union caps bonuses at a year's pay but amount can be increased to two years with shareholder approval.

EADS's full-year profit and revenues show double-digit growth with strong contribution from the Airbus division.

ONS data shows fall in business spending across quarter as fear over future outlook took hold.

Office for National Statistics leaves original GDP estimate unchanged as UK remains likely to avoid triple-dip recession.

While eurozone struggles HSBC Global Connections report says UK exports will be supported by Asia, MENA and Latin America.

Company records higher profit despite a weak economy and skyrocketing energy costs.

Homebuilder Barratt reports strong first half results as its performance is boosted by mortgage-market simulation from government and Bank of England.

UK's biggest commercial broadcaster will pay £156m to shareholders in move that may keep private equity buyers at bay.