UK

Jupiter saw its assets under management climb 9% to £24bn in the fourth quarter, with net inflows of £772m beating analysts' expectations.

Old Mutual Asset Managers is to merge its two income funds run by Stephen Message, subject to FSA and shareholder approval.

Inflation edged closer towards 4% in December as the rising cost of food and oil products continued to hit the price of goods and services.

ON UK GROWTH

Important members of Chancellor Angela Merkel's coalition in Germany are resisting plans for an increase in the EU's bailout fund to protect Spain from contagion, complicating a crucial meeting of EU finance ministers on Monday.

Peter Lees has boosted the performance of the F&C UK equity fund since taking over in April 2009.

Leading shares are mixed at the outset leaving the FTSE 100 barely changed, down 0.32% or 19 points to 6,004, although tech firm ARM received a boost.

Graham Kitchen, head of UK equities at Henderson, has taken over as head of equities from Bill McQuaker.

ON UK INCOME

The deal will obviously significantly enhance Henderson's presence in the retail fund market, but crucially it will remove the uncertainty surrounding Gartmore's future.