Credit Suisse has named 20 of the best stocks with the ability to return capital to shareholders through special dividends and buybacks, with UK names such as clothing retailer Next and Paddy Power included on the list.

The UK's main inflation rate jumped sharply to 2.7% in October, catching out forecasts and prompting fresh worries it will remain above target for longer than feared.

Credit Suisse is to combine its private banking and asset management divisions to create a wealth management arm.

Hector McNeil, an ex managing partner of ETF Securities, has predicted major consolidation in the ETF industry over the next few years.

Henderson's Richard Pease expects improving economic indicators, combined with hedge funds putting their cash back to work in equities, will lift European markets towards the end of the year.

Veritas is to divide its asset management and private client businesses into two separate groups, in an overhaul of the company's structure.

Invesco Perpetual's Neil Woodford said he is sticking by his significant weighting to tobacco stocks despite concerns over earnings momentum and new packaging rules putting pressure on share prices.

Quilter has signed an agreement with Cheviot Asset Management that will see the two businesses merge by the end of the year.

The UK's main inflation rate has jumped sharply to 2.7% in October, having fallen to a 34-month low of 2.2% in September.

Argo Group has launched an emerging markets hedge fund investing in bonds and currencies from a universe of over 40 emerging market countries.