ECONOMY

Purchasing managers' index rises to 52.4 in December from 51.3 in November.

Trade bodies unite to protect the UK and Ireland's €60bn-a-year trade links that support 400,000 jobs.

Citizens Advice said it expects up to 2,400 calls a day as people try to sort out their debts after the festive season.

Markit PMI hits 56.1 in December, beating analysts' expectations for a 53.3 reading.

Ease of online sales, cold weather, bank holiday hours and Christmas spending all deterred shoppers.

The most unpredictable year of all is coming to an end, but what does 2017 have in store?

Zero-hours contracts are flexible but are are being used to depress wages, says think tank.

UK stock market outperformed its Western European peers in 2016, but emerging markets stacked higher gains.

Buyers in the capital struggle to afford ever higher house prices in London compared to the rest of Britain.

About 27% of the CFOs more optimistic about the future prospects for their companies, up from 16% in Q2.

Britain's rapidly ageing population will put pressure on those of working age as social care systems struggle.

The American currency, like Icarus, is in danger of flying too close to the sun.

The decline in the value of the pound over the past 12 months has dented the UK economy.

UK GDP grows 0.6% in the quarter after the June Brexit vote slightly ahead of the 0.5% analysts expected.

Gold and silver could have contrasting fortunes over the next 12 months, while the direction of oil futures hinges on Opec's accord holding up.

Workers in India, China and US are more optimistic about 2017 than the UK.

Prime Minister Paolo Gentiloni claimed he 'important day' would see the bank 'turn a corner'.

Mark Lyttleton, former asset manager, admitted to two counts involving Cairn Energy and EnCore Oil stocks.

The year 2016 was marked by ups and downs in the index due to Brexit uncertainties.

Bailout plan could be used to rescue Banca Monte dei Paschi di Siena before the end of next week.

Britain's public sector borrowing falls in November but UK national debt hits record high of £1.65trn.

The country's £25.7bn a year legal sector needs to have its law recognised in other EU countries to continue to thrive.

Bringing more competitive business to UK shores will be physically and fiscally challenging post-Brexit but the UK must not waver.

Almost 20% of Britons plan to work throughout the Christmas period but 28% would like more time off.

CBI-Pertemps survey shows 41% of firms across the country would increase their workforce in 2017.

In line with market expectations, the UK's central bank decides to maintain its asset purchase programme and interest rates at previous level.

UK retail sales rise 5.9% in November, in line with analysts' expectations but slower than in October.

House of Lords committee urging the government to secure a transitional Brexit deal to preserve passporting rights.

The current macroeconomic climate demands a contrarian viewpoint when it comes to investing.