ratings

Rayner Spencer Mills Research has expanded its fund research service to include ratings for multi-asset fund ranges and sustainable responsible investments.

S&P Capital IQ is set to close its fund research business at the end of Q1 after a strategic review, Investment Week understands.

Zurich UK Life has appointed Richard Romer-Lee's new consultancy firm to help with the launch of a new investment fund proposition for its intermediary platform in the coming year.

Duncan Goodwin, manager of the Martin Currie Global Resources fund, is to leave the firm at the end of the year.

City Financial plans to launch an independent fund research service in the spring for Peter Toogood and Gill Hutchinson.

Rayner Spencer Mills Research (RSMR) has added three new tools to its ratings service, including the ability to rate new funds with less than a year's track record.

Chelsea Financial Services and Albemarle Street Partners are to launch a fund rating service early next year, targeting consumers as well as advisers and rivalling a number of existing agencies.

Ratings agency Moody's has downgraded the credit rating of McGraw-Hill, the parent of the world's largest ratings company, rival Standard and Poor's.

Credit rating agency Moody's Investor Services has downgraded its rating of the European Stability Mechanism (ESM) - Europe's bailout fund - because of increased concerns over the financial health of France.

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.