Asia

Man Group is planning to follow up the launch of its Nomura Global Trend fund with another vehicle run up by GLG, the fund manager it acquired last year.

ON JAPAN

Market and economy seen as more distinct following the recent disaster

ON S&P'S DOWNGRADE OF JAPAN

The Witan Pacific investment trust has declared a final dividend of 2.8p, a rise of one-third year on year, after seeing the NAV soar more than 25%.

The insurance industry will play a pivotal role in helping Japan get back on its feet. Richard Dunbar, investment director - UK equities at SWIP, analyses the current state of the sector and what this disaster will mean for its future.

Standard & Poor's has cut Japan's sovereign rating outlook to negative following the devastation caused by last month's earthquake and tsunami.

Henderson's Bill McQuaker says the recent move by the Bank of Japan (BoJ) to prevent the yen soaring against the dollar could feed through to equity markets if it is the start of a new trend.

Chinese growth raced ahead 9.7% in the first quarter of 2011, while inflation hit its highest level since 2008.

The Chinese economy grew a faster-than-expected 9.7% in Q1 and its inflation rose to the highest level in almost three years despite government attempts to slow surging growth.