Kevin McConnell, manager of Bloxham's outperforming Midas Global Absolute Return fund, has warned many of the UK's absolute return vehicles are too correlated to equity markets.

Guinness Asset Management has launched a new share class across its fund range, becoming the latest firm to gear up for RDR with the launch of a ‘clean fee' structure.

Mike Pinggera, head of multi-asset strategy at Insight Investment, has resigned from his job to pursue other opportunities.

Invesco Perpetual's co-head of fixed income Paul Read has said April's French presidential election is the "one to watch" for markets in 2012.

Close Brothers AM is launching a discretionary fund management service that will be managed by top-performing UK equity manager Deryck Noble-Nesbitt.

Demand for gold ETFs fell to a seven-year low in 2011 even as overall investment demand for gold hit a 14-year high, according to the World Gold Council.

Ratings agency Moody's has warned it may cut the credit ratings of 17 global banks and 114 European financial institutions as strains on the financial system increase.

Hedge fund billionaire John Paulson sold out of Bank of America and Citigroup in the fourth quarter of 2011, missing the sharp rally enjoyed by bank shares year-to-date.

WHAT 'GLENSTRATA' MERGER MEANS

Gerardine Davies, former director of property at Aegon Asset Management, has joined BNP Paribas Real Estate as head of UK investment management.