Mining giant BHP Billiton says first-half profits jumped 31% after strong gains in production in a range of raw materials.

The retailing body the British Retail Consortium says there should be a new business rate system for shops based on energy use.

Aluminium giant Alcoa plans to close down a smelter and two mills in Australia by the end of the year, affecting nearly 1,000 jobs.

Japan's central bank, the Bank of Japan, expands two key lending programmes in an attempt to boost economic growth.

Discount retailer announces its intention to float on the London Stock Exchange, and the appointment of four board members.

Insurance bosses are to meet ministers at No 10 to discuss their response to the floods, as insurers say they have so far paid out £14m to victims.

China's central bank removes nearly $8bn (£4.7bn) from the money markets in a bid to control the amount of credit in the country's financial system.

The UK's inflation rate falls to 1.9% in January, the first time in more than four years that it has gone below the Bank of England's 2% target.