UK

BlackRock's Richard Plackett has warned profits are set to come under severe pressure under the next six months as macro uncertainties weigh on corporates.

RWC Partners is converting its UK hedge fund Pilgrim into a UCITS product to compete with the likes of BlackRock's UK Absolute Alpha fund in the retail market.

Schroders' star manager Richard Buxton has been boosting exposure to UK banks in the view they will not need further bailouts, and their share prices are too low to ignore.

Investors have come under increased pressure to inflation-proof their portfolios as a fresh spike in CPI and RPI raised doubts levels will drop back to the Bank of England's 2% target in 2012.

ON UK INCOME

ON UK INCOME

ON UK GROWTH

Retailer prospects

Gemini Investments is holding a four-date roadshow around the UK next month showcasing five of its boutique investment partners, with the events chaired by Investment Week's editorial director Lawrence Gosling.

This week we have made a conscious effort to buck the media's trend for negative headlines and warnings of the dangers ahead.