UK

Ronald Reagan claimed inflation was as "violent as a mugger, as frightening as an armed robber and as deadly as a hitman."

Here in the UK, household budgets are currently under attack from insufficient growth in earnings and higher costs for basic goods and services.

Top performers reap rewards from mid and smallcaps, as they outstrip larger peers

ON UK INCOME

ON UK GROWTH

Castlestone has lost its second fund manager in a month with the departure of Bradley Yim, who is involved in a legal dispute with the group.

Bank of England governor Mervyn King has been knighted for his role in steering the UK through the financial crisis.

Neil Woodford's Invesco Perpetual income funds have leapt to the top of the performance tables after two years of underperformance as the manager's value calls finally start to pay off.

Often during meetings with clients and prospective clients I am encouraged to justify one or two of our holdings.

Ex-iShares and Gartmore sales director Julian Hince has joined M&G as technical development director.