ONE TO WATCH

Old Mutual Global Investors is to launch an offshore mirror version of Richard Buxton's £1bn Old Mutual UK Alpha Fund.

Neptune CEO Robin Geffen is buying into the Japanese recovery led by Shinzo Abe, dismissing comparisons to earlier efforts to revitalise the country.

After Shinzo Abe took power late last year, Japan has been 2013's undisputed success story.

Russell Investments has appointed Mirko Cardinale as head of asset allocation in the EMEA region.

Philip Saunders, portfolio manager of the the Investec Diversified Growth fund, has outlined four investment themes for investors to consider in 2014.

Ignis Asset Management is forecasting an 11.5% total return for the UK commercial property next year, above consensus forecasts which are themselves at their highest levels post-crisis.

Crispin Odey has taken out a short position on Manchester United as the team has its worst start to a season for 12 years.

J.P. Morgan Asset Management (JPMAM) is to bring a series of bond funds into the UK market as part of an expansion of its fixed income range.

Fund buyers are selling their US passive holdings and buying into high conviction stockpickers as correlations in the market subside from historic highs.