UK

Darwin's David Jane has bought back into banks for the first time in ‘many years' in the view they are trading well below book value and can rise significantly from here.

Jupiter Fund Management saw pre-tax profits jump in 2011 despite a fall in AUM, and has hiked its dividend by 13%.

George Osborne is preparing to alter plans to strip some middle income families of child benefit ahead of a House of Commons debate on the issue.

HOW INVESTORS LOST FAITH

Asset managers and business leaders including Neil Woodford and Terry Leahy have criticised short-termism among UK investors and warned it is a threat to equity markets.

Schroders has cut the initial charge on a range of unit trusts from 5.25% to 3.25% ahead of the Retail Distribution Review.

Man Group shares soared in morning trading despite the group reporting a 40% fall in pre-tax profits for the nine months ended 31 December 2011.

ON UK INCOME

The nationalisation and resale of Northern Rock will rake in a profit of up to £11bn for UK taxpayers, it was announced today.

ON UK GROWTH