Japanese confidence at record low

Profits fall at Marks and Spencer
Half-year profits at Marks and Spencer fall 34% as the weakening economy takes its toll on consumer confidence.

US consumer confidence plunges
US consumer confidence hits a record low in October, in the face of a raft of difficult economic conditions.

UK economy 'already in recession'
The UK economy has "deteriorated dramatically" in the last three months, and is already in a recession, top forecasters suggest.

Slump hits Bentley car production
Four thousand staff at Crewe-based carmaker Bentley are going down to a three-day week as demand slumps.

Oil price fall lifts US consumers
US consumer confidence gets a boost in August from falling oil prices, research suggests.