This summer has been "a baptism of fire" for Standard Life Investments' £18.5bn Global Absolute Return Strategies(GARS)fund, according to strategist Andy Ford.

Threadneedle is aiming to raise £200m for the launch of its Asset Backed Income investment trust, set to list in October.

Artemis has relaunched Tim Steer's $60m UK Hedge fund as a European vehicle.

PSigma is to close Tom Becket's £18m Dynamic Multi-Asset fund, taking the firm's range down to three funds.

Standard Life Investments's Harry Nimmo has pointed to three trends in 2014 that could continue a run of performance that has seen the manager return nearly 200% over five years.

Old Mutual Global Investors' Richard Buxton has warned five major trends could affect the global economy throughout September and October.

Miton has appointed former J.P. Morgan Asset Management investment trust head David Barron as director of investment trusts and product strategy.

Shares rose across Asia overnight on positive manufacturing data from China, which analysts said marked a turning point for the region.

EMs

The FTSE 100 has rallied strongly on positive manufacturing data from China, as well as the prospect of Vodafone's deal to sell its holding in Verizon Wireless.