Advisory

Adviser consolidator Succession Group has bought tax planning and investment firm Cassidy Coutts, adding £50m to its funds under management.

Restricted advice group Towry is evaluating its house view on structured products and investment trusts following its acquisition of national IFA Ashcourt Rowan, in a move which could see the combined business registered as independent.

Shares in wealth management group St James's Place (SJP) rose almost 5% in early trading on Wednesday, after it reported a near-30% rise in profits last year despite a negative contribution from its distribution business.

Aegon UK posted a 37% increase in earnings in the fourth quarter of last year, compared with the same period in the year before, citing increased demand for income drawdown on its platform.

Investment and financial planning businesses Jonathanfry and Easby Gale and Phillipson (EG&P) have completed a merger to form a company running £700m of clients' funds.

Consolidator AFH Financial has acquired Kidderminster-based advice firm K.L. Plester Financial Services for £1.7m.

Standard Life has bought advice firm Pearson Jones from Skipton Building Society as it moves to capitalise on the demand for pensions advice.

IFA consolidator AFH Financial has acquired the assets of two advisory businesses, adding £55m in client funds.

Around half of wealth manager portfolios are failing to deliver positive alpha for clients, a new report has revealed.

St James's Place (SJP) saw funds under management hit a new record in the last 12 months, its latest figures show.