Funds

Commerzbank is due to launch ComStage ETFs in the UK for the first time next month.

Minority shareholders in F&C Commercial Property trust (FCPT) have rejected a proposed takeover by Ignis-managed UK Commercial Property trust (UKCPT) to create a £1.6bn vehicle.

First State has overhauled the £142m Pacific Assets Trust it recently took over from F&C, selling all but five of the existing stocks.

THE BIG QUESTION

Private equity positions were the largest positive contributor to the Foreign & Colonial investment trust in the first half of the year, helping to offset the effects of BP's dividend suspension.

J.P. Morgan has raised £104m for its new Global Emerging Markets investment trust.

The Witan investment trust has handed a £120m pan-European mandate to Marathon Asset Management.

INVESTMENT TRUSTS

UK equity income managers say companies are beginning to pay dividends again, despite research forecasting a decline in UK dividends of 6.5% this year.

Conjecture