The Dow Jones has regained some of the ground lost yesterday as positive export data boosted the market.

The Debt Management Office is considering launching index-linked gilts with a maturity of 50 years in October after the idea of a new batch of ultra-long bonds was proposed to investors.

Standard Life Investments' net sales increased by 104% to £1.45bn over the first half, as inflows into the group's flagship GARS fund topped £1bn.

AXA Investment Management is planning to reopen its onshore £535m US Short Duration High Yield fund, after removing the cap on the £4.1bn offshore version of the fund.

Global markets are continuing to trade in positive territory, building on yesterday's gains, with investors eyeing up value in depressed banking stocks which have been heavily sold off.

The largest investment trust to enter the market this year, the $507m Neuberger Berman Global Floating Rate Income fund, is proposing to raise additional capital through a ‘c' share issue.

Global markets have made an encouraging start to the week, with the US opening up sharply, following in the footsteps of the FTSE 100.

BlackRock's Evy Hambro, manager of the £2.8bn Gold & General fund, said gold should be trading about 30% above its current record high, taking inflation into account.

Standard Life Investments' Ed Legget has bought into Barclays in both his £447m UK Equity Unconstrained and £67m UK Equity High Alpha funds to take advantage of its depressed share price.

F&C Investments has appointed a new head of emerging market debt following the departure of Helene Williamson to First State.