Ben Bernanke, Federal Reserve chairman, offered the firmest timeline yet for tapering US central bank asset purchases, saying bond buying by the US central bank could be slowed this year and end altogether around the middle of next year.

The top City regulator is poised to unveil the secret details of the capital holes it has identified at Britain's top eight banks, with Royal Bank of Scotland, Lloyds Banking Group and Barclays set to account for more than 90 per cent of the total.

When Ian Livingston delivered BT's annual results, he had no idea that within six weeks he would be announcing his departure to take over from Lord Green as trade and investment minister.

Dalian Wanda Group (DLWGCZ), the Chinese developer controlled by billionaire Wang Jianlin, is investing 1 billion pounds ($1.6 billion) in a British yachtmaker and a London site to build Western Europe's tallest residential tower.

By David Brett. LONDON | Wed Jun 19, 2013 7:19pm BST. LONDON (Reuters) - UK equities closed slightly lower on Wednesday as investors awaited clarity from the U.S.

Incoming Bank of England governor Mark Carney will probably have to keep policy on hold at his first meeting after predecessor Sir Mervyn King's call for stimulus was again defeated by six votes to three.

Lukas Barth/dapd/AP Photo. Kabel Deutschland's management, led by Chief Executive Officer Adrian von Hammerstein, may favor Vodafone's bid because it is all cash and may have better chances of being approved by Germany's Federal Cartel Office.

Royal Mail workers have voted strongly against the government's proposals to privatise the postal group. Of the 112,000 workers who voted - a 74% turnout - 96% rejected the plan, which could see the firm float on the stock exchange next year.

Rail passengers think trains are failing to provide good value for money with less than one in five on one major route happy with their fares, a survey reveals.

By Paul Sandle. LONDON | Wed Jun 19, 2013 7:40am EDT. LONDON (Reuters) - Imagination Technologies, the British chip designer whose graphics technology is in smartphones from Apple and Samsung, reported lower full-year profits as licensing slows.