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HSBC in new sub-prime writedown

HSBC writes down $3.2bn in the first three months of 2008 as a result of its exposure to the US sub-prime market.

British Gas bills may rise again

British Gas-owner Centrica signals fuel bills may rise as its profits are squeezed by high gas and power prices.

UK producer inflation at record

UK factory gate prices and producers' input costs rose at a record pace in April, official figures show.

Fall in house prices 'welcomed'

More people want house prices to fall than to rise, research from the BBC indicates.

Renault eyes world's cheapest car

Renault-Nissan announces a joint venture with Indian firm Bajaj to produce a $2,500 (£1,276) car.

Firms 'up prices as costs soar'

Manufacturers are raising prices as they face the strongest cost pressures in over 20 years, the CBI says.

Food prices drive China inflation

China's consumer price inflation nears a 12-year high in April, as the cost of food continues to take its toll.

Australian banks in merger talks

Australian bank Westpac makes a 15bn Australian dollar (£7.2bn; $14.1bn) offer for its rival St George Bank.

UK economic outlook 'worsening'

Economic prospects for the next 18 months have got worse, the British Chambers of Commerce warns.

Chinese plane firm gets wings

China launches a new plane maker to one day compete with Boeing and Airbus, state media report.

Murdoch quits US newspaper fight

Rupert Murdoch's News Corporation withdraws a $580m bid to buy the US newspaper Newsday.

French swoop for British Energy

French utility EDF makes an offer for British Energy, although the price has not been disclosed.

3,000 more post offices 'at risk'

Thousands more post offices may be forced to close, the National Federation of Sub-Postmasters warns.

Waitrose egg recall on lead fears

Supermarket chain Waitrose has recalled organic eggs from a flock which has eaten lead shot.

Plan to axe Saturday post denied

Postal regulator Postcomm denies it is planning to recommend Royal Mail should end deliveries on Saturdays.

Citigroup to shed $400bn assets

US bank giant Citigroup aims to sell $400bn of assets over the next three years to bolster its financial position.

Alarm at Google Yahoo partnering

US advocacy groups urge regulators to block any deal Google and Yahoo might strike after a two-week experiment.

Tackling under-age online sales

Young people are using the anonymity of the web to buy goods suitable only for adults but software could stop that.

Microsoft contests $1.4bn EU fine

Microsoft appeals against a $1.4bn fine given for defying sanctions imposed on it for anti-competitive behaviour.

Weak dollar shrinks US trade gap

The US trade deficit shrinks by more than expected as the weak dollar leads to a surge in exports, figures show.

Npower axes staff in sales probe

Npower dismisses six staff from its sales team after claims of mis-selling energy contracts.

Tenants' money 'still not safe'

Too many landlords continue not to protect tenants' deposits, warn Citizens Advice and Shelter.

Repossession orders climb 17%

The number of people under threat of losing their homes has risen sharply in England and Wales, figures show.

Alliance and Leicester's rates up

Alliance and Leicester joins other lenders in charging new customers with smaller deposits higher rates.

Last stage of home packs delayed

Homeowners in England and Wales are given extra time to comply with the final rules for Home Information Packs.

Burma cyclone raises rice prices

Rice prices rise for a sixth straight day as supplies continue to be stretched after cyclone damage in Burma.

Supply fears push oil past $126

Crude oil has hit yet another all-time high in Friday trading, as strong demand and supply fears continue.

Big fall in French factory output

French industrial output falls four times more sharply than expected in March, raising concerns about the economy.

Putin in 2020 pledge on economy

Vladimir Putin promises to rein in inflation and boost social spending in his new job as Russia's prime minister.

Facebook users warned about ads

Credit companies are using the Facebook networking site to target young people, a debt charity warns.

BAA's shareholders agree funding

BAA shareholders have agreed to stump up £400m ($779m) as the firm struggles to refinance its debt.

BA confirms June move for flights

British Airways will begin to move its long-haul flights to Heathrow's Terminal 5 from June, the firm confirms.

Guidelines for financial journalists