Fixed income managers have cautioned the Bank of England (BoE) will be forced to backtrack on its forward guidance measures as it has been too pessimistic over the state of the UK economy.

The Bank of England (BoE) has held interest rates for the 53rd consecutive month and opted not to increase the size of its £375bn quantiative easing (QE) programme.

The UK economy delivered growth of 0.3% in the first quarter of the year, the final reading from the Office for National Statistics has confirmed, but revisions to previous readings mean there was no 'double-dip' recession.

The Chancellor has revealed plans to remove stamp duty on AIM shares, as part of the 2013 Budget.

The UK's main inflation rate has fallen to 2.2% in September from 2.5% in August, dropping to its lowest level for three years.

Federal Reserve Chairman Ben Bernanke has indicated more quantitative easing measures will be pumped into the US economy when it is needed to avert long-term damage, but his lacklustre speech failed to impress those seeking a firmer commitment.

Royal Bank of Scotland chief executive Stephen Hester has emerged as the frontrunner to fill the vacant chief executive position at Barclays.

Former Prime Minister Tony Blair said the UK must keep open the option of joining the euro if the current crisis is resolved.

Bond heavyweights have begun shorting UK gilts ahead of an expected correction, warning yields have reached ‘extreme' lows.

Newton Investment Management's chief investment officer Jeff Munroe has moved to become head of global equities, as the group shakes up its management team.