Dark days for markets as Middle East air strikes, global growth worries and election uncertainty send shares sliding

The FTSE 100 lost almost 100 points, taking it further from the historic highs of 7037 it hit earlier in the week. 'It's been a bruising day for London's blue-chip index,' said market analyst Tony Cross at Trustnet Direct. And with Parliament now dissolved before the election - and fewer than 1000 hours until the polls open on May 7 - there are fears that the London market may not reach its peak again until political uncertainty dies down after the vote.

Soaring world oil price sends London stocks into red - as Bank of England warns liquidity crunch could hit financial markets

A stock trader watches the developments of the stock market on their monitors in the Frankfurt Stock Exchange in Frankfurt Main,?Germany 13 June 2013. The stock exchange in Frankfurt fell below 8,000 points eralier on 13 June in response to falling prices in the Tokyo stock market, but was able to climb back above 8,000 points amid nervous trading in the afternoon.  EPA/BORIS?ROESSLER

The FTSE 100 index closed 95.64 points or or 1.4 per cent to the worse at 6,895.33 as shares in airlines and tech stocks went into the red.

Jaguar reveals smaller, lighter and more frugal XF to take on German luxury giants, as it plans new generation of green cars

Jaguar Land Rover has announced plans to design a new generation of green cars hot on the heels of revealing the first proper look at its new XF. The new XF should be in showrooms by the end of the year and will take on BMW's 5-Series, Audi's A6 and the Mercedes E-Class, as Jaguar battles to dramatically increase its sales in years to come.

SIMON LAMBERT: Forking out for financial advice on your pension is not just paying for something you could do yourself

I have always been reluctant to pay for something I could do myself. Sometimes, however, it's wise to get someone to do a better job for you. Sorting a pension first that bill.

How much would it cost to live your pension dream? From a Lamborghini to learning to fly, we reveal the cost (and some cheaper options)

FINANCIAL FEATURE.
BARRY HUGHES, INSTRUCTOR AT CLASSIC WINGS, FLYING SCHOOL BASED AT DUXFORD AERODROME.
CAMBS.
12-3-2015 PIC BY IAN MCILGORM

THE pensions revolution means fast cars, luxury holidays and childhood dreams are at last in reach. Here TOBY WALNE looks at what you could do with a little - or a lot - of your pension pot...

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MARKET REPORT: Shares drop at Ladbrokes as investors continue to dismount at gambling giant 

Investors are still seemingly unimpressed with the appointment of Jim Mullen as the successor to out-going chief executive Richard Glynn. Shares of the British gambling giant lost a further 5.6p to 104.1p as fund managers expressed their dissatisfaction with the board's decision not to appoint an outside candidate. Mullen, who is at present managing director of Ladbrokes Digital, takes up the reins on April Fools' Day with an annual salary of £500,000, plus an annual bonus of up to 170 per cent of his salary.

ALEX BRUMMER: Aden threatens Gulf stability as risk of war gives markets a fright

Not surprisingly, the sight of British-made and maintained Saudi Arabian jets striking back at Iranian-backed Shi'ite Muslim rebels in the Yemen has given the markets a severe fright.

Hand over the emails sent by disgraced banker Fred Goodwin during financial crisis, judge tells RBS

RBS Sign/Logo

File photo dated 27/01/12 of a general view of signage outside the Royal Bank of Scotland headquarters in Edinburgh. 

The bank has revealed that it has swung out of the red with pre-tax profits if £1.4 billion in the first six months of 2013.  


PRESS ASSOCIATION Photo. Issue date: Friday August 2, 2013. See PA story CITY RBS. Photo credit should read: David Cheskin/PA Wire

About 100 institutions and 12,500 private investors are suing the bank and four former executives, after buying into a £12billion share sale as the bank tried to raise cash to survive in 2008.

Series of fatal airline disasters take their toll on Lloyd's insurance market

A worker walks past the Lloyds Insurance building on September 28, 2009 in London, England. Speaking at the Labour party conference in Brighton today, Alistair Darling announced that new laws were to be brought in to ensure banking bonuses were to be granted on a performance basis rather than be given automatically.  (Photo by Dan Kitwood/Getty Images)

Lloyd's said 2014 'witnessed some sizeable risk losses, notably the tragic events impacting the aviation sector'.

Eye of the tartan tiger: The little-known Scots body holding City goliaths to account 

scottish affairs committee.JPG

When it comes to probing private equity titans, or grilling wannabe FTSE100 grandees, the Scottish Affairs Committee is proving one of the most effective attack dogs against dubious practice.

Centrica's ex-boss Sam Laidlaw piles on the pounds after charity gesture 

Sam Laidlaw Chief Executive of Centrica.

The former boss of Centrica has pledged to give part of his £600,000 bonus to charity in a bid to curb anger over the sector - days before he collects a £1.4million share windfall.

Pensions headache? Where can you go for help to make sure you are on the right retirement road

The pension changes coming in next month make 2015 'the year of advice' - when hundreds of thousands of people expected to access a pension for the first time will need to be steered through a maze of changes. We reveal the four main areas where the soon-to-be retired can find help.

How much are you forking out in overdraft charges? New tool shows you how much you'll really save by switching banks

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In 2011 these fees amounted to £1.7billion. Yet despite the huge cost, customers are rarely aware of what they pay and even more rarely switch accounts to pay less.

Young people say they want to save into a pension - as long as they can dip into it to buy their first home

Some 58% of 18-35 years olds aren't saving for retirement, but 54% say they would start saving or save more if they could also use that money to get on the property ladder.

A £1,600 bill to get at my own savings: Retirement revolution is just 12 days away but some are locked out of pension freedom already

In less than two weeks, the much-heralded pensions revolution will begin. Our investigation has revealed that savers like Ben David, pictured, are already running into delays in getting their hands on their money, or will lose large chunks of it in hidden fees.

From April 2016 millions can save tax-free in normal savings accounts: So has Osborne's Budget killed the cash Isa?

Around 28 million savers are set to benefit from a radical overhaul of High Street accounts. From next April, every basic-rate taxpayer will be able to earn £1,000 interest a year without having to pay tax. Higher-rate taxpayers will be able to earn £500 interest. So what should you do to prepare and do you still need an Isa?

Now first-time buyers need to save only £8,000 to get a £200k home, but is a Help To Buy Isa worth having?

The tiny deposit required is possible because of a combination of the lucrative bonus from the new Isa and existing homebuyer schemes that offer interest-free loans.

Inflation is dead: Is the Bank of England complacent on deflation risk and will the next interest rate move be up or down?

UK inflation is dead. That was the verdict of one economist after official figures showed inflation fell from 0.3 per cent in January to zero in February. The reading was weaker than the 0.1 per cent expected by analysts and the lowest since March 1960, according to the Office for National Statistics.

The secret to market-beating savings deals? Search off the High Street for top fixed rates

A general view of a Halifax Bank of Scotland branch in the centre of Cambridge, Cambridgeshire.

In the High Street, the best you can do is 1.55 per cent from Virgin Money or 1.5 per cent from Saffron Building Society. But you can earn 1.65 per cent with Shawbrook Bank and Virgin Money.

Pound flags against euro as UK inflation heads towards negative territory

Bank deputy governor Minouche Shafik claimed underlying inflation is 'not that low' - despite figures this week showing the headline rate fell to a record-low zero per cent last month.

The Footsie is back to square one but some Asia-Pacific funds are up more than 1,000%: The 20 best performing investment trusts of the century so far

Asia-Pacific equities, British companies of all sizes and healthcare and technology: these are the areas showing the biggest returns of the century for investment companies. The Association of Investment Companies has taken a look at the 20 top performing investment companies from the last trading day of 1999 to the end of February 2015 and found that certain themes dominate.

You might not be able to afford a Hermes bag but you can invest in luxury goods - so are premium brands good value?

Premium brands have had a stellar run since the turn of the century, which turned slightly sour last year, but experts are tipping a turnaround in 2015.

Would you let strangers holiday in YOUR home if it meant you could take a break in theirs for free?

Marion and Phil Hunter (pictured) are part of a growing band of travellers who swap their homes with people living abroad to cut holiday costs.

Savers who opened a cash Isa in run-up to end of last tax year need to check rate now as once top deal could be practically worthless

You could find your rate has plummeted to as little as 0.25 per cent. Some savers signed up for an account paying a bonus for the first 12 months. Once it disappears, their rate is likely to be 0.5 per cent or less. Others took out the best bonus-free deal - but following widespread cuts earlier this year, they could be earning less than the top rates on sale today.

ASK TONY: Currys told me to fix my faulty new fridge-freezer with a hairdryer

I had trouble with the thermostat but the engineer was full of bluster and suggested it was because my kitchen was too cool and advised me to blow warm air into it.

JAMES CONEY: Pension savers find freedoms are barred by unnecessary barriers and poor communication

It really comes as no surprise that some firms are failing to explain the options to retirees. You might even think it was a attempt to get us to hand over more money than we need to.

Sports Directs bosses accused of running a 'backstreet outfit' as evidence emerges of sharp practice and dodgy procedures

Former policeman Keith Hellawell was also forced to defend his position saying he was more than just 'decoration' and that the firm, founded by executive deputy chairman Mike Ashley, was not a 'backstreet outfit'. The Scottish Affairs Committee is investigating the collapse of fashion chain USC, which was owned by Sports Direct.

SuperGroup to start paying dividends as it signs clothing deal with The Wire star Idris Elba

Television Programme: Luther with Idris Elba as DCI John Luther.    Luther S1 (Idris Elba as DCI John Luther)

SuperGroup's new chief executive is to transform the fashion brand from its market stall roots to a professional corporate outfit through a wide-ranging shake up.

Government sells another £500m stake in Lloyds as total recovered from £20bn bailout rises to £9bn

A man enters the headquarters of Lloyds Banking Group in the City of London. Lloyds Banking Group PLC, part owned by the British government after a bailout, on Wednesday reported a loss of 3.1 billion pounds ($5.3 billion) for the first half of the year as bad loans rose at HBOS, the bank it took over in January. (AP Photo/Sang Tan)

The share sale means the government now owns just below 22 per cent of the bank, down from 40 per cent in 2009 and follows on from other small stake sales made over the past few months.

Investment guru Warren Buffett savours £70billion meal deal as Kraft Foods and Heinz look set to merge

The combined company, to be called Kraft Heinz Co, will be led by Heinz chief executive Bernardo Hees and will have revenues of around £18.8billion - about half that of market leader PepsiCo - making it one of the five-largest food and drinks companies in the world. The group expects to save around £1billion in annual costs by 2017. Brazilian private equity firm 3G Capital and Buffett's Berkshire Hathaway bought Heinz for £15.6billion in 2013.

Royal Dutch Shell to cut another 250 North Sea jobs and increase its staff working hours to 'stay competitive'

The Brent field, north-east of the Shetland Islands, has produced about ten per cent of all UK North Sea oil and gas since production began in 1976.

Shell will shortly be seeking final approval to begin decommissioning the Brent oil and gas field. The energy giant is proposing to lift the 23,500-ton top section of the Brent Delta platform in the first stage of the process.


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The news comes just a week after Chancellor of the Exchequer George Osborne announced tax breaks for hard-pressed oil companies in his Budget, reducing the headline rate of tax to 50 per cent.

Bank of England 'must not panic and cut interest rates to zero' despite UK economy heading for dose of deflation

Whirpool of UK Banknotes and coins Money down the drain.
Banknotes, waste, Banknotes, waste, britain, Banknotes, waste, britain, currency, finance, industry, money, paper, money, coins, currency, finance, money, paper, savings, trade, britain, coins
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David Miles, a member of the rate-setting MPC, warned against a 'knee-jerk reaction' - dismissing suggestions from the central bank's chief economist Andy Haldane that rates should be cut.

Retail sales grow more than expected as shoppers take advantage of lower prices

IKEA ..Woman warehouse shopping in IKEA Croydon South London UK.
.. flatpack furniture

Retail sales rose by 0.7 per cent in February compared to January, when they fell by 0.3 per cent, beating economists' expectations of 0.4 per cent growth, ONS said.

RUTH SUNDERLAND: Tearing up the textbooks as Bank of England urges calm over zero inflation

Banknotes and coins.

UK Pound Sterling Cash.

ADXW4E

Falling prices can be a bad thing. Deflation makes the real burden of debts heavier, and can encourage people and companies to put off purchases, causing the economy to stagnate.

How to fund other investments with your pension money: Should you join the army of buy-to-let landlords?

Buy to let

It is not hard to see the attraction of buy-to-let as it offers the potential of long-term capital growth with the opportunity to earn a regular income. New 'pension freedom' rules will allow many more of those in their mid fifties to join this growing army of landlords. But how do you use your pension to buy a second property?

Where should you invest in a Sipp?: How to take control of your pension and find the best platform to manage your pot

Self-invested personal pensions - known as Sipps - have traditionally been the domain of investors who use a financial adviser to look after their financial matters. But no longer. The do-it-yourself Sipp market is growing like crazy as people look to take control of their own pension, in the process keeping costs low.

GEORGE OSBORNE: It's right you have this new pension freedom - after all, it is YOUR money  

'It is right that people have these freedoms over the money they have worked hard for all their lives,' says the Chancellor of the Exchequer. 'We must never forget it is your money.'

Mortgage lending comeback indicates property market pick-up

According to the BBA, the number of new mortgages approvals increased to 37,300 last month from January's total of 36,400. Analysts had expected the number to rise to 36,900 in February.

Ten tips to navigate the pensions maze: How to get a wealthier retirement thanks to new rules

On the surface, pension freedom seems all-empowering, putting people in control of their hard-earned savings. New retirement rules will put more power in your hands, but the pension waters remain as dangerous post April 6 as they are now. Here are your ten top tips on how to benefit from the new pension regime - and how not to trip up.

Don't get caught by circling sharks: How to make sure your investment plan is safe under new pension rules

***MAKE SURE ADDRESS IS PIXELATED****
Angie Brooks who lives in Spain
credit FRANCISCA ROLDAN

Pension freedom provides opportunities. But experts fear the new reforms will provide further fodder for fraudsters. To help, we lay out what savers need to look out for to guard against scams.

Why give the taxman more than he's owed? The essential things you need to know about new pension tax rules

Freedom has a price. And when it comes to the great pensions revolution, the price for that freedom is something we all abhor - horrible income tax.

A year of flat prices: Boost for households as inflation falls to zero for the first time since the 1960s and UK heads towards FALLING prices

Households will see their budgets go further as the cost of goods and services remains flat while incomes rise. Groceries and petrol in particular are considerably cheaper than last year. Inflation could fall even further in the coming months and could even turn negative before the year is out before starting to rise again. Should it turn negative, it will be the first time in half a century that Britain has experienced deflation.

Britain's in love with borrowing again: Household debt hits record £9,000 and is growing at the fastest rate in a decade

After years of uncertainty about their jobs and finances through the economic downturn, families are now becoming more confident about borrowing again. However there is a chance of complacency as debts start to pile up again, warned PwC as it published the results of its new study into household debt. Non-mortgage borrowing soared by £20billion or nine per cent last year to hit £239billion, it found.

Drivers being taken for a ride on diesel prices: Wholesale cost is just 1p a litre more than petrol yet difference is 6p at the pumps 

Fuel retailers are ripping off the public and businesses on diesel charges, according to the RAC. The comments came as it highlighted Government figures for February

Victory as cancer victim Michael Brown wins £500,000 payout after insurer initially refused life claim

Michael Brown, 68, from Newark, Nottinghamshire, with wife Deirdre. Michael has a rare from of cancer, but Legal & General refused to pay out on his life insurance policies.

After Money Mail contacted the insurer, it agreed to pay Michael £250,000. It has since backed down from its original decision and will pay a further £250,000 and compensation.

50 ways to save money: Simple steps to cut what you spend that could clear your debts or seriously boost your savings

50 ways to save money: How to cut what you spend and put more in your savings

To clear the average national household debt of £13,000 at 6% interest with a monthly repayment of £100 will take around 17 years. There are, however, plenty of simple ways to make significant savings on your regular spending that could clear your debt - or boost your savings - in less than a year. This is Money's top 50 - updated - money-saving tips may appear light-hearted but are deadly serious.

How to choose the best (and cheapest) DIY investing Isa - and our pick of the platforms

DIY investing: How to pick the best platform for you.

Choosing the right DIY platform is crucial but a wealth of choice and changes to charges have left many investors scratching their heads. We pick some of the best. We also highlight why investing in an Isa makes sense, as it should protect your hopefully growing investments from tax forever.

Revealed: The world's cheapest and most expensive stock markets - and where the UK stands

spt_Cape 3.JPG

We highlight the world's cheapest and most expensive stock markets, measured on three popular valuation tools and where the UK sits.

INVESTING TIPS: Fund and trust ideas for beginner and cautious investors

Starting out: Fund tips for beginner or cautious investors

If you are new to investing then the huge number of funds and investment trusts on offer can be confusing. Fortunately, This is Money's experts have some ideas to get you started.

INVESTING TIPS: Top fund and trust ideas for income investors

Income investing: Dividends can deliver both a healthy boost to long-term growth and a way to earn from your investments.

Income investing can let you draw on your portfolio or reinvest dividends to build solid growth over time. Our experts give their fund and investment trust recommendations.

INVESTING TIPS: Top fund and trust ideas for emerging markets

On the up: Emerging markets such as Brazil are where much of the world's growth is expected to be over future years.

If you're looking to add some flair to your investing Isa with emerging markets, This is Money's experts have some ideas to get you started

When will interest rates rise? 'Deflation by March' means no rise until spring 2016

Inflation has fallen to just 0.3 per cent, latest figures from the ONS show, and economists at the CEBR predict deflation by March. The figures follow the latest Inflation Report last week, when the Bank of England hinted interest rates will not rise until spring 2016 if the UK economy stays on its current course, although it delivered an upbeat take on the current low inflation environment.

Our savings picks: This is Money's five favourite best buy cash Isas for 2015

From last year savers will be able to save up to a whopping £15,000 tax-free - all of which can go into a cash Isa. We pick our five favourite cash Isas for savers, don't miss this essential Isa reading that is kept up-to-date throughout the year.

What next for house prices? Buyers offered a chance to negotiate and save money as sellers cut asking prices

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The traditional pre-Christmas drop in asking prices has been far more pronounced than usual, according to Rightmove. We look at the outlook for house prices.

Looking for a better bank? This is Money's five of the best current accounts

Best five: which current accounts offer the best perks?

How hard does your bank account work for you? Here's our pick of the best accounts to make your money work harder, cut down on fees, or get free stuff.

Ten tips for buy-to-let: the essential advice for property investors and pick of the top mortgage rates

A stock photo of model house with to let sign. 





Image shot 01/2004. Exact date unknown.

For many buy-to-let looks an attractive income investment in a time of low rates and stock market volatility. Read our top ten buy-to-let tips

What next for mortgage rates? Fixed rates tumble to as low as 1.29% as lenders keep on cutting

Lock in a five-year fix now: The bank rate could rise as early as next year, which would send mortgage rates up

Homeowners can fix for two years at just 1.29 per cent and up to ten years at less than 3 per cent. We highlight the best mortgage deals and look at whether it is time to fix.

Best paid UK jobs 2014: Compare your pay to the national average in the league table of salaries across 350 trades and professions

The influence of financial services on the economy is spelled out again as City brokers steal top spot in this year's official list of highest earners. According to the detailed 2014 annual salaries survey, brokers pocketed around 40 times more this year than those at the bottom of the list - the people responsible for keeping children safe on the way to school. Lollipop crossing patrols earned around £3,400.

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Premium Bonds winners

March 2015
Prize value Winning bond No. Area
£1,000,000 3WQ482964 Inner London
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£100,000 219QZ444789 Lancashire
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