Darwin Investment Managers has launched a model portfolio service comprising three funds managed by multi-asset veteran David Jane.

Japan's main equity market surged to a five-year high on the first day of trading after the country's Golden Week public holiday.

Hermes has listed its 11-strong suite of UCITS funds in the IMA sectors, ramping up its push into the UK wholesale market just as Jupiter's John Chatfeild-Roberts buys into one offering.

The BBC is planning to tap the bond markets for the first time in order to raise capital, according to the Times.

An overhaul of Alliance Trust's top ten holdings has seen it swap Lloyds for Barclays and step up its gearing in Q1.

Ecclesiastical has appointed Mark Hews as group chief executive officer with immediate effect.

Lloyds Banking Group has reported pre-tax profit of £2bn for the first quarter, well ahead of analysts' estimates, after the lender made a number of cost savings and profited from selling 20% of its stake in St. James's Place.

BP has reported an uptick in profits in the first quarter, although profits fell 9% compared to Q1 2012 as the group continues to sell off assets to pay for the Gulf of Mexico oil spill.

Architas has expanded its distribution team with the appointment of Philippe Broadhead and Daniel Haylett.

Henderson Global Investors is preparing to add two funds to its risk-rated range of multi-asset solutions, led by Bill McQuaker.