Markets

Fidelity's head of research for European equities, Henk-Jan Rikkerink, has outlined eight core themes revealed in a recent survey of the group's investment professionals.

US

One of the industry's most widely followed strategists, Albert Edwards, has said depressed European equity markets are a once in a lifetime opportunity for investors following the savage sell-off in 2012.

Solid inflows into its mutual fund business and segregated mandates, as well as positive market movements, helped Jupiter grow its assets under management to over £26bn in Q4.

Managers around the globe have upped their exposure to equities in what Bank of America Merrill Lynch analysts dubbed the 'great rotation' of 2013.

M&G is planning to merge two of its UK equity funds to create a portfolio with more than £600m in assets under management.

Schroder's mid-cap manager Andy Brough has been given a boost from his stake in fellow asset manager Liontrust after its shares soared 10% in early trading today.

We believe the investment backdrop remains structurally difficult.

The UK's main inflation rate has remained at 2.7% for the third month in a row, broadly in line with economists' expectations, despite steep rises in energy bills.

Music and DVD chain HMV is to call in administrators Deloitte today as the 250-strong chain becomes the latest casualty on the high street.