Equities

Martin Currie is to cut down the size of its UK-domiciled Japan fund range, merging John Millar's Japan fund into the group's Japan Alpha offering, Investment Week can reveal.

Hawksmoor's Richard Scott has taken a contrarian approach to his rivals by investing in global emerging market equities - predominantly via trusts - following the sell-off.

ON EM

Lloyds Banking Group posted a pre-tax profit in 2013 for the first time since its government bailout and plans to restart dividend payments in the second half of the year.

ON EUROPE

Arbitrageurs have renewed their attacks on the beleaguered hedge fund investment trust sector after discounts widened, putting a number of vehicles in danger of closure by the end of the year.

Active emerging market equity managers have been given a further incentive to invest ‘off benchmark' after recent market falls emphasised the role played by ETFs.

EMERGING MARKETS

Neil Woodford is to use a three-week offer period to launch a new UK equity income fund when he joins Oakley Capital this May.