Markets

UK CPI inflation stood at 2.7% for the fourth consecutive month in January, but fears over longer-term forecasts sent sterling to a six month low in early trading.

Troy Asset Management chief executive Sebastian Lyon has cautioned on UK equities, suggesting falling UK corporate earnings are a warning sign for investors.

Japanese equities have led Asian markets higher as news of a nuclear test by North Korea failed to significantly dampen optimism after a three-day break.

Former SWIP UK equities manager Jeremy Charles has joined wealth management boutique Thurleigh Investment Managers.

CHINA'S YEAR OF THE SNAKE

Threadneedle has handed its UK Overseas Earnings fund to Blake Hutchins as Richard Colwell steps back from managing the portfolio.

Société Générale strategist and permabear Albert Edwards has launched a scathing attack on central bankers, warning incoming BoE governor Mark Carney could follow in the footsteps of Alan Greenspan to be a "ruinous" bank leader.

Schroders edged back into the top ten asset managers by fund sales in Q4 as investors showed renewed interest equities, the latest Pridham Report has revealed.

The incoming Bank of England governor Mark Carney has said "the bar for change to the monetary framework is very high", warning any change to the current interest rate target could damage the economy.

The Bank of England's Monetary Policy Committee (MPC) has said inflation may remain above the 2% target for the next two years, in part due to sterling weakness.