Witan investment trust has handed two £100m UK equity mandates to Lindsell Train and NewSmith Asset Management, after taking one of the mandates away from Henderson.

Pimco's Ketish Pothalingam says increased M&A activity could end this year's sterling bond issuance drought.

Royal London Asset Management saw the value of its new business drop 85% during the first half of the year.

Jupiter's Charlie Thomas has begun modifying his £41m Green investment trust since taking over the whole portfolio.

First State's Susie Rippingall believes Hong Kong could experience an economic boom if interest rates remain low in the US.

The UK economy grew by more than expected in Q2 of 2010, boosted by a strong performance from the construction sector.

The board of the £55m Henderson Private Equity investment trust has decided to close the vehicle as a result of its persistently wide discount and failure to grow assets under management.

The FTSE 100 was up 0.98% or 49.85 points to 5,159.25 this afternoon as data showed new claims for unemployment benefits in the US fell more than expected.

Invesco Perpetual has completed an 18-month review into the way it manages global equities, leading to a change of investment process for its flagship £1.1bn Global Equity fund.

Old Mutual's Simon Murphy has begun introducing food retailers into his fund, believing the sector is well positioned to benefit from food price inflation.