European markets are expected to open in the black in early trading, boosted by growing expectations Greece is on the verge of securing a bailout deal.

A third of UK Equity Income funds slashed distributions to investors in 2011, despite a bumper year for UK-listed companies which saw dividend payouts hit an all-time high of £67.8bn.

M&G Investments' bond manager Richard Woolnough has backed gilts to shrug-off Moody's downgrade warning released earlier this week.

Oriel Securities has named the top ten highest yielding equity-focused investment trusts for investors hunting for income.

Markets have slipped into the red in early trading as Moody's negative outlook for the UK's AAA credit rating weighed on sentiment.

Neptune CEO Robin Geffen has hit back at Principal's latest income study after it recommended investors ditch his £1bn Neptune Income fund.

PSigma's Bill Mott has warned earnings growth forecasts for UK companies are far too high, while equity markets have reached a peak and are set for a correction.

Schroders is launching an Asian smaller companies fund for its top performing manager Matthew Dobbs, which will invest in companies across Asia and the emerging markets.

Global markets have opened firmly in the black, with sentiment boosted after Greece's parliament voted to approve a new round of austerity measures.

Principal Investment Management's latest income study urges investors to switch out of Robin Geffen's £1bn Neptune Income fund, warning its global growth emphasis is likely to disappoint this year.