Jupiter CEO Edward Bonham Carter has called into question the equity market rally, suggesting current moves do not yet signal the start of a new bull market.

Germany's GDP slumped by the most in four years in Q4 2012, with French, Italian and Japanese growth also contracting more than expected on the quarter.

Aberdeen is the biggest riser in the FTSE 100 after a double acquisition that CEO Martin Gilbert said does not alter the group's "very cautious" strategy.

Aberdeen has hit the acquisition trail with two new deals, agreeing to buy US asset manager Artio Global Investors and taking a majority stake in private equity fund of funds business SVG.

Newton's Ben Russon is to join Franklin Templeton's UK equity team, taking over as co-manager of two of its UK equity funds.

MSD Capital, the family office of Dell Computer founder Michael Dell, has been building a short position in Hargreaves Lansdown as the group's share price takes off.

UK CPI inflation stood at 2.7% for the fourth consecutive month in January, but fears over longer-term forecasts sent sterling to a six month low in early trading.

Troy Asset Management chief executive Sebastian Lyon has cautioned on UK equities, suggesting falling UK corporate earnings are a warning sign for investors.

Japanese equities have led Asian markets higher as news of a nuclear test by North Korea failed to significantly dampen optimism after a three-day break.

Threadneedle co-head of emerging market debt John Peta has taken over management of the group's local EMD fund as he begins running money at the group for the first time.