Economics

UK investors put the most money into Absolute Return funds for over four years in January, as retail investors re-evaluated their equity exposure.

Russia's benchmark Micex index has fallen over 10% in response to geopolitical tensions in Ukraine, with the country's central bank hiking rates in a bid to prop up the rouble.

Annualised US GDP growth for Q4 2013 has been revised down from 3.2% to 2.4% at the second estimate, with worse-than-expected personal consumption figures to blame.

Major UK financials were in the doldrums today, with both Royal Bank of Scotland and Standard Life sharply lower in early trading following updates from the businesses.

The Royal Bank of Scotland has made an £8.2bn loss in 2013, as it struggled with the burden of regulatory fines and splitting up the business.

Asset manager River and Mercantile is to merge with investment consultancy P-Solve, part of the Punter Southall Group, and is planning an IPO to fund its growth plans.

EU policymakers have agreed a deal on pay in the asset management industry which includes a requirement that fund managers be paid half of any bonuses in units of their own funds.

UK equities dipped this morning after closing at a 14-year high yesterday, with falls in commodity markets hitting miners.

Equity markets around the globe are near - or at - record highs, with sentiment remaining positive, but Chris Wyllie at Iveagh argues investors need to be prepared for a setback after such a strong run.

HSBC shares have fallen almost 5% after full-year results failed to meet market expectations.