A record $200bn issuance of new inflation-linked bonds from the UK, US and Europe is forecast this year as global governments seek to finance ballooning budget deficits.

UK equities, emerging markets, global equities and income funds are the top four asset classes IFAs expect to be recommending to clients this year.

HSBC is ready to list on the Shanghai stock exchange.

The FTSE 100 was up 0.65% or 36.43 points to 5,630 early this morning as the rumoured RBS debt restructuring boosts financial stocks.

Royal London's Andrea Williams has begun reducing her fund's exposure to banks in favour of insurance companies.

Small-cap IPOs have been very competitively valued according to the Ignis Smaller Companies fund manager

Foreign & Colonial's Jeremy Tigue is expecting equity bull run to support private equity valuations in 2010

Low Carbon Accelerator (LCA) has made its first new investment in 18 months.

Wheb's Nicola Donnelly has halved her fund's exposure to sterling because of the UK's uncertain economic outlook.

Top-performing fixed interest manager Paul Reed is maintaining his focus on lower-rated bonds in 2010 after noting an easing of default risks.