Henderson Global Investors has appointed Mark Carpenter as head of its property funds, replacing Roger Dossett who will leave the firm later in the year.

GLG Partners will launch its UK Select fund to the local market on 3 August, subject to FSA approval, carrying a unique charging structure significantly reducing the manager's margin on the product should it fail to outperform.

Friends Provident has ended discussions with Resolution after rejecting yet another takeover proposal by the Clive Cowdery-led group.

Rlam's Jane Coffey believes most global economies have now seen their worst quarter of economic decline, expecting positive growth in the second half of the year.

Fidelity's Ian Spreadbury has reduced the gilt position to his lowest-ever allocation on FIF Sterling Bond fund, taking it to 22%.

PSigma Income's Bill Mott is the most optimistic of those surveyed, with a prediction of 5,500, although many refused to provide a prediction