US President Barack Obama and Speaker of the House John Boehner renew their calls for action on a payroll tax deal but refuse to change their positions.
Lufthansa sells BMI to BA owner
British Airways owner IAG agrees a binding deal to buy BMI from Lufthansa for £172.5m, but warns the deal could lead to job losses.
China province in major wage rise
Sichuan province in southwest China increases minimum wage by 23%, to try and attract workers amid a rapidly rising cost of living.
Article written by Robert Peston
Robert Peston
Business editor
08:28 UK time, Wednesday, 21 December 2011
The European Central Bank has provided a temporary sticking plaster not a eurozone cure with its ambitious programme of lending to eurozone banks, which in turn lend to eurozone governments. But at least we may be able to have a Christmas unspoiled by the threat of banking meltdown.
Article written by Stephanie Flanders
Stephanie Flanders
Economics editor
10 hours ago
The Office for National Statistics gave us a 0.1% reason to be cheerful on Thursday by revising up our quarterly growth rate by exactly that amount.
BoA in record discrimination fine
Bank of America's Countrywide is fined a record $335m by the US Justice Department for discrimination against minority home buyers.
Six jailed over carbon tax fraud
A German court has jailed six men over a 300m euro fraud selling carbon emission permits through Deutsche Bank.
Nigeria praised by IMF's Lagarde
IMF head Christine Lagarde praises Nigerian President Goodluck Jonathan's efforts to transform his country's economy during a visit to Africa.
China scientist sent to US prison
A Chinese scientist receives a seven-year prison sentence for stealing trade secrets from two US agricultural firms and delivering them overseas.
Pittodrie closing date deferred
The closing date for bids to buy Aberdeen Football Club's home - Pittodrie Stadium - is deferred.
Voice technology comes of age
Apple's Siri software has given consumers a renewed interest in voice technology. The BBC's Ian Hardy takes an exclusive look at the latest innovations.
BAE jobs consultation is extended
A consultation over plans to axe 2,300 jobs from BAE Systems in Lancashire and East Yorkshire is extended for more talks to continue.
'Excessive' card surcharges to go
Surcharges for using a debit or credit card to pay for travel, theatre or cinema tickets will be banned by the end of 2012, the government plans.
Spanish lottery hands out millions01:41
The rise of the Russian oligarch02:15
Will China's housing bubble burst?06:16
EU: A trade war with China?02:55
Rugby boosts New Zealand economy01:14
2011: Rebuilding after disaster01:28
Food costs make political agenda01:50
Life after Romania's 'Nokia city'01:43
Euro myth
What really caused the eurozone crisis?
Clever boots
Friends, footballers and Zombies - technology's answer to getting fit
Toy town
Where toys under the Christmas tree really come from
Gold-plated food
India's latest conspicuous consumption trend - the bling dosa
Marxist Old Lady
Entrepreneurship is not just for the young
Why networks need streamlining if we are to move forward
Romania's 'Nokia City' hopes dashed as company moves east
Greeks revolt against 'unfair' austerity tax
Last Updated at 23:05 ET
| Market index | Current value | Trend | Variation | % variation |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Dow Jones | 12169.58 | Up | 61.84 | 0.51% |
| Nasdaq | 2599.45 | Up | 21.48 | 0.83% |
| S&P 500 | 1254.00 | Up | 10.28 | 0.83% |
| FTSE 100 | 5456.97 | Up | 67.23 | 1.25% |
| Dax | 5852.18 | Up | 60.65 | 1.05% |
| BBC Global 30 | 5631.31 | Up | 7.34 | 0.13% |
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