Economics

The FTSE 100 index has shrugged off the heavy falls seen at the end of last week to resume its upward trend in early trading this morning.

Fidelity Worldwide Investment (FWI) is to expand its range of FAST funds with the launch of a US portfolio for manager Adrian Brass as it moves to create a US equity research desk that can "rival anything in London".

Japanese equities have started to regain some of the ground lost since the end of last week after the Nikkei rose 1.2% in Tuesday's trading.

Santander has confirmed it is "exploring the possibility" of the sale of a stake in its asset management division.

The Co-operative Bank has appointed the former head of HSBC's North American propositions as its new chief executive.

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MULTI-ASSET

Close Brothers has reported positive net flows into its asset management division, with assets under management up 10% year to date.

The head of the International Monetary Fund (IMF) Christine Lagarde appeared before a French magistrate yesterday to face questioning over allegations of embezzlement and fraud.

St James's Place stock has fallen 10% in today's trading after majority shareholder Lloyds Banking Group placed 77m shares into the market.