Target is set to raise the minimum wage it pays its employees to $9 an hour in April after rival Walmart announced a similar move, according to reports.

George Osborne draws the battle lines for the general election in seven weeks' time, after unveiling what he called a Budget for a "comeback country".

While most of Asia's markets rise on Thursday, Japanese shares buck the trend after the US Federal Reserve's comments send the dollar tumbling against the yen.

Internet giant Yahoo is closing its China office and laying off "around 350" employees as part of a worldwide consolidation aimed at cutting costs.

Retailer Next fell 5.4% in London trading after saying it was "very cautious" in its outlook for 2015.

Car ad website Auto Trader has priced its shares at 235p as it floats on the London Stock Exchange, valuing the company at around £2.35bn.

Companies that aid tax evasion will face penalties as part of a plan announced by Lib Dem Chief Secretary to the Treasury Danny Alexander.

Lufthansa pilots plan a new, third strike on Friday, following two days of planned action on Wednesday and Thursday, potentially disrupting thousands of passengers.