Royal Dutch Shell is planning to slash its spending by $15bn over the next three years, following a collapse in the oil price.

Carmignac Gestion's Didier Saint-Georges has said that the company is confident it can reverse the significant outflows it saw in 2014.

Apple has reported the largest quarterly earnings in corporate history, with net profit rising to $18bn in the three months to December.

Strategic Equity Capital trust

Boutique wealth manager Dart Capital has acquired IFA Waterson Jones, adding £150m to its total asset base.

Investec Wealth and Investment CIO Chris Hills and Schroder UK Mid Cap director Rachel Beagles have joined the board of the Association of Investment Companies.

Former Fidelity veteran Trevor Greetham has joined Royal London Asset Management to lead the firm's growing multi-asset team.

The International Monetary Fund has cut its growth forecast for the next two years, after December's figures in many countries disappointed.

Ecclesiastical's Robin Hepworth has said fears the upcoming general election will have a detrimental impact on the UK equity market are overstated.

Baillie Gifford has made the manager of the Edinburgh Worldwide investment trust, Douglas Brodie, a partner in the business.