Jupiter Absolute Return fund manager Philip Gibbs has built up large short positions in US and German sovereign debt.

Nikko Asset Management has hired former First State CEO Charlie Metcalfe to lead its business across Europe, the Middle East and US.

Fundsmith founder Terry Smith, who was once rated the City's top bank analyst, says there is "not a chance" he would invest in the highly problematic banking sector.

Artemis' Mark Niznik is continuing to eye a partial sale of his UK Smaller Companies fund's largest holding Vostok Energy, the unquoted Russian gas exploration company.

A 25% MARKET RISE IN 2011

Invesco Perpetual head of investment Neil Woodford has offloaded a £100m stake in Severn Trent as the manager's struggles with water regulation continue.

Legendary investor Jim Rogers believes Ireland and wider Europe would be better off if the Celtic Tiger was allowed go bankrupt.

Ireland became the second country this year to accept billions in EU funding after last night conceding its banking and budget crisis was too big to handle on its own.

The new Basel III banking rules will leave the largest US banks short of between $100bn and $150bn in equity capital.

The Bradford & Bingley Shareholders Action Group has hit out at the government's offer to exchange two perpetual subordinated bonds in the nationalised bank for a 3p premium to the current market value.