Fund inflows in September were at their lowest level since the credit crunch hit markets in October 2008, while quarterly figures were down two thirds on last year.

Stephen Snowden has upped risk on the Kames Investment Grade Bond fund by "aggressively" increasing exposure to banks and topping up high yield on the view the bottom of the market has already been reached.

The VIX, or volatility index, sunk 15% to its lowest level in three months yesterday as European leaders announced plans to alleviate the debt crisis.

Fund inflows in September were at their lowest level since the credit crunch hit markets in October 2008, while quarterly figures were down two thirds on last year.

Royal Dutch Shell beat forecasts from analysts today after profits doubled to $6.98bn in the third quarter.

The Invesco Perpetual Recovery Trust 2011, a split cap vehicle, has been wound up today.

Eurozone optimism has buoyed markets this afternoon with almost all major indices in positive territory.

RWC Partners is converting its UK hedge fund Pilgrim into a UCITS product to compete with the likes of BlackRock's UK Absolute Alpha fund in the retail market.

Investors have come under increased pressure to inflation-proof their portfolios as a fresh spike in CPI and RPI raised doubts levels will drop back to the Bank of England's 2% target in 2012.

Threadneedle will not be hiring any of the fund managers from LV= Asset Management when the assets move across at the end of the month, Investment Week understands.