This guide provides a context for business decisions. It introduces the basic principles of: consumers; firms; national policies; and the world economy. It covers how to use the numbers day-to-day of: GDP; RPI; money supply; and currencies. It also explains how to understand forecasts.

How to use the financial pages to make better and more informed business and investment decisions. All too often, the world of finance appears in the media as unfamiliar territory obscured by jargon. This authoritative and invaluable guide for anyone who needs to read the financial pages of a newspaper like the Financial Times, explains where and when to find what you want and how to make best use of the comprehensive range of financial and economic statistics. Completely up-to-date throughout, it shows you how to keep track of all the important statistics covered, including developments in shares, gilts and foreign exchange fluctuations; covers all the key financial and economic indicators, ranging from the 'Footsie' to the retail price index; explains the role and behaviour of the players in the financial markets; looks at the different markets explaining how they work and how they may be read and employed by private investors or professional managers; examines the UK, European and world economies and the effects key economic indicators have on the financial markets; includes useful reference tables with explanations to accustom you to the ease with which the numbers can be interpreted with just a little background; and introduces the tools and language of modern finance. Whether you're investing in the markets, raising capital or need to know how the financial world affects your business, you will quickly discover what gains can be made if you know how to use the financial pages.