pimco

CONTRARIAN INVESTOR

Mohammed El-Erian, chief executive of PIMCO and the man perceived by many as Bill Gross' heir apparent at the largest bond manager in the world, has resigned from his role.

PIMCO's $244bn Total Return fund made its first annual loss since 1999 last year, as the sell-off in US treasuries and other fixed income asset classes took its toll.

J.P. Morgan Asset Management (JPMAM)'s Tony Lanning has bought into a resources ETF across his multi-manager range, after exhausting the search for an active alternative.

THE BIQ QUESTION

The most read story on Investment Week's website this week concerned outgoing fund manager Neil Woodford and how Invesco Perpetual is moving to protect investors in his funds.

Bill Gross' Pimco Total Return fund has lost its position as the largest mutual fund in the world after investors pulled over 13% of assets from the fund since the summer.

Our best read story this week was Halloween-themed, as we revealed the ten scariest stocks in the UK, guaranteed to give you nightmares.

ON BONDS

Aberdeen Asset Management has confirmed rumours it is in talks to buy Scottish Widows Investment Partnership (SWIP) in a deal which would make it the largest listed fund management firm in Europe.