Business Blog

The US economy grows at an annual rate of 5% in the third quarter, its fastest pace for 11 years, official figures suggest.

The UK economy has grown more slowly than previously thought, official figures show, and the current account deficit has widened.

The number of homes being sold in the UK fell below 100,000 a month in November for the first time in a year, according to HM Revenue and Customs.

Chocolate firm Thorntons' shares fall 25% after it warns that annual profits will fall this year because of poor sales in some supermarkets.

Saudi Arabia's oil minister, Ali al-Naimi, says the Opec cartel will not cut oil production even if the price falls to $20 a barrel.

Hong Kong property tycoon Thomas Kwok is sentenced to five years in jail and fined $64,440 (£41,327) for corruption.