With sovereign and political issues taking centre stage in markets recently, macroeconomic indicators have taken a back-seat in many market participants' minds. But how have the advanced economies been recovering, absent these risks?

Man Group has agreed a deal to acquire GLG Partners for $1.6bn.

Prudential has revealed the terms of its £14.5bn cash call, with the issue price set at more than an 80% discount to the insurer's closing level on Friday.

French President Nicolas Sarkozy threatened to exit the euro unless German Chancellor Angela Merkel backed the EU's €750bn safety net for the single currency.

Bryan Collings has cut the number of holdings in his Hexam Global Emerging Markets fund on expectations of a further 10% slide for developing world equities.

Fund managers fear strong near-term pressures on gilts and sterling after the market reacted poorly to a hung parliament last week.

Philalithis, Akbar and Gibson put stamp on MM portfolios

Bond managers fear for gilts and sterling in the coming days and weeks as the markets react poorly to the reality of a hung parliament.

Gilts and sterling are falling sharply this morning as investors react to the likelihood of a UK hung parliament.

As a bond investor, I am almost hoping we do get a hung parliament.