Fitch

Henderson's John Bennett has returned to the much-maligned Irish banking sector for the first time in over six years despite warning the position might make investors 'wince'.

Britain could lose its AAA credit rating after George Osborne admitted he will miss his target to reduce Britain's debts and have to borrow an extra £100 billion.

Credit rating agency Fitch has downgraded Argentina and said the country would probably default on its debt obligations.

MANAGED FUNDS

Ratings agency Fitch has warned the UK's AAA credit rating is under increasing pressure because of growing government debt, which could hit 100% of GDP this year, and the continuing eurozone crisis.

M&G's co-head of fixed income Jim Leaviss has warned the UK could face losing its AAA rating on 5 December, the day of the Autumn Statement, as the growing budget deficit could force George Osborne to abandon plans for fiscal consolidation.

The number of companies, governments and other institutions facing downgrades doubled in the first half of 2012, according to Fitch Ratings.

Equity fund managers are increasingly looking for growth over value when selecting stocks on European markets, according to Fitch Ratings.

Fitch has cut's Spain's credit rating by three notches to BBB as estimates for the size of the bailout it needs balloon.

Fitch Ratings has downgraded Japan's sovereign debt rating to A+ and has placed the country on a negative outlook owing to its rising public debt pile.