Russian equities approached a seven-month high today as investors bet Vladimir Putin's return to the presidency will extend the market's ongoing rally.

Henderson Global Investor's former SRI team, which exited the firm in late 2011 after its funds were handed to other managers, has joined London-based environmental investment manager WHEB Asset Management.

Barclays shares have rallied following the news the UK bank has accepted €8.2bn in three-year loans from the European Central Bank's latest lending programme.

HSBC's chief economist Stephen King has warned the rapidly rising oil price is a greater threat to the world economy and financial markets than a Greek default.

Prashant Kothari has joined Pictet's emerging markets equity team, responsible for Indian equities.

Renaissance Asset Managers has launched a Luxembourg-domiciled fund aiming to tap into growth in the frontier markets.

Eurozone members have delayed the approval of more than half of the €130bn loan for Greece, raising fears the troubled economy will officially default.

Martin Currie has launched a European Equity Income fund for Ross Watson after overhauling its existing European fund.

James Murdoch has stepped down as executive chairman of News International, following his relocation from London to New York, News Corporation has announced.

Martin Currie is merging Tom Walker's £28m North American Alpha fund and James Fairweather's £44m Martin Currie Global fund into existing funds to streamline its range.