Italy's cost of borrowing touches a new record, a day after Prime Minister Silvio Berlusconi said he would resign once budget reforms are passed.
The head of the International Monetary Fund warns that the global economy risks being plunged into a "lost decade" as a result of Europe's debt crisis.
Shares in GM dive on weak outlook
Shares in General Motors fall 9% after the company reports a 17.6% fall in profits and a weak outlook.
Article written by Robert Peston
Robert Peston
Business editor
1 hour ago
A strike by lenders to Italy is now a realistic and frightening possibility. Which means that it has become urgent for the eurozone to find the resources to lend to Italy in an emergency. If it doesn't, and Italy were to default, the eurozone could fracture.
Article written by Stephanie Flanders
Stephanie Flanders
Economics editor
14:25 UK time, Friday, 4 November 2011
France could not persuade the rest of the G20 to commit hard numbers to providing a bigger financial safety net for the eurozone - or anyone else who might need it.
Rajaratnam to pay record $92.8m
Rogue trader Raj Rajaratnam has been fined a record $92.8m in civil case on top of $63.8m in criminal case and jail sentence.
SocGen cuts bonuses on Greek loss
French bank Societe Generale cuts bonuses and cancels its dividend after profits slump due to a 60% write-off of its Greek debts.
Anglo takes control of De Beers
Anglo American is to take control of diamond company De Beers after agreeing a $5.1bn deal to buy the Oppenheimer family's 40% stake.
Toyota profits hit by Thai floods
Quarterly profits at Japanese carmaker Toyota fall 18.5% due to supply problems caused by the recent floods in Thailand.
Bookmaking boom worries councils
Councils in England and Wales are calling for more powers to limit the number of betting shops on the High Street.
Have daily deals had their day?
As Groupon debuts on the NASDAQ, Dave Lee asks if the daily deal discount website model is one which can really survive.
Kesa sells Comet business for £2
Anglo-French electrical goods retailer Kesa announces plans to sell off its troubled UK-based Comet stores for £2 to a private equity firm.
Heads vote for strike on pensions
Thousands of head teachers in England and Wales have voted in favour of strike action over changes to pensions.
Analysing Italy's 7% borrowing rate02:00
Could patent wars hinder innovation?06:47
IMF chief warns of 'lost decade'00:58
Eurozone crisis may hit energy markets01:52
Foreign investors fuel Florida housing boom03:51
Italian borrowing cost hits 'record high'02:13
Dubai's banks report losses03:10
Russia-Germany gas pipeline opens02:38
Back in action
Deep water drilling for oil restarts in the Gulf of Mexico
Recipe for success?
Education fails to eradicate unemployment in South Korea
Microskirts and hotpants
Cambodia's youth lead a fashion revolution
New engines
Boeing and Airbus compete in the fuel efficiency race
Building a fortune
Cashing in on Uganda's oil boom
First global education laureate's fairness challenge
The everyday technology we take for granted
Will corporate America save the day?
Last Updated at 15:21 ET
| Market index | Current value | Trend | Variation | % variation |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Dow Jones | 11802.55 | Down | -367.63 | -3.02% |
| Nasdaq | 2630.69 | Down | -96.80 | -3.55% |
| S&P 500 | 1233.44 | Down | -42.48 | -3.33% |
| FTSE 100 | 5460.38 | Down | -106.96 | -1.92% |
| Dax | 5829.54 | Down | -131.90 | -2.21% |
| BBC Global 30 | 5460.45 | Down | -63.66 | -1.15% |
Business on Twitter
You can follow the latest updates on Twitter
…and on Facebook
You can also become a fan of the Business on Facebook
Tomb with a view
Discover the alternative side of Los Angeles with a visit to a cemetery cinema
World Business Report
The big global business issues that affect consumers, investors and the environment
Stephanomics
Stephanie Flanders discusses the global financial crisis with top economic thinkers
How to get a job when unemployment is rising. Where will the new jobs come from?
Is Canada's exploitation of tar sands tarnishing its reputation as a model world citizen?
BBC © 2011 The BBC is not responsible for the content of external sites. Read more.
This page is best viewed in an up-to-date web browser with style sheets (CSS) enabled. While you will be able to view the content of this page in your current browser, you will not be able to get the full visual experience. Please consider upgrading your browser software or enabling style sheets (CSS) if you are able to do so.
PPR buys James Bond's suitmaker 
De Niro to play disgraced financier Madoff
Global economy: news and analysis