Unit trusts/OEICs

Natixis Global Asset Management (NGAM) has launched its second onshore fund, the Loomis Sayles US Leaders fund, with seed money from Aberdeen Asset Management.

Darwin Investment Managers has launched a model portfolio service comprising three funds managed by multi-asset veteran David Jane.

THE BIG INTERVIEW

Ashcourt Rowan's new head of funds research has moved to counter dwindling bond market liquidity by adding funds with "more stable" asset bases to the group's buy list.

J.P. Morgan Asset Management's Austin Forey and his new co-manager Leon Eidelman are looking to add a mid-cap slant to their £1.1bn Emerging Markets fund to give performance a boost.

The Financial Services Authority (FSA) is holding discussions with asset managers over more effective ways to allow groups to close open-ended funds to new investors.

Fidelity is launching a short-duration version of bond manager Ian Spreadbury's £3.3bn MoneyBuilder Income fund.

EFG Asset Management, part of Zurich-based private bank EFG International, is launching a multi-asset OEIC in April as part of its expansion into the UK.

Clyde Rossouw, manager of the Investec Global Franchise fund, talks to Dan Jones about his strategy and recent portfolio moves.

Investment trust providers are coming under pressure to reduce annual management charges after being undercut in certain sectors of the market by OEICs and unit trusts.