Managed funds

On the whole, 2009 is likely to be remembered as an extremely good year for risky assets, with equities as well as corporate bond markets posting stellar performance, albeit not without considerable volatility.

Standard & Poor's has awarded four HSBC Global Asset Management tracker funds an AAA rating, including the recently merged American Index portfolio.

The seven key considerations to bear in mind for AA investments

HSBC Global Asset Management will merge its £26m American Growth fund into its £99m American Index portfolio following the former's struggle to outperform its benchmark.

F&C's multi-manager team has sold out of the Ignis Argonaut European Income fund in favour of Neptune's European Opportunities.

Henderson has appointed Mark Harris as head of its £1.13bn multi-manager business, taking over from Bill McQuaker who will concentrate on his head of equities role at the group.

The Cautious Managed sector held on to top spot in the Cofunds sales chart for November for the third consecutive month.

Blacksquare Capital is launching a fund of absolute return funds in the New Year.

Recent market volatility should serve as a reminder that while the risk of a prolonged recession has been averted, there is still uncertainty about the strength of recovery and the possible exit strategies from unprecedented fiscal and monetary stimulus...

Skandia Investment Group has awarded a further £150m mandate to Schroders' Richard Buxton.