Chinese inflation remains high in January at 4.9% despite interest rate increases and driven by rising food prices.

The French and German economies grew by 0.3% and 0.4% respectively in the fourth quarter, slightly lower than expected.

UK supermarket group Morrisons buys baby goods website Kiddicare for £70m as it seeks to develop an online presence.

The UK inflation rate rose to 4% in January, increasing pressure for an interest rate rise in the spring.

Housing and lending bodies are facing government calls to lend to first-time buyers - but major lenders are not at Tuesday's summit.

People who rely on savings to supplement their income face greater pain from the rising rate of inflation, experts say.

UK business could be harmed by a lack of home-grown scientific researchers, inventor James Dyson warns.

US retail sales rose in January for the seventh consecutive month, although the increase was the weakest since June 2010.