Aviva

Structured products are rarely used on platforms in the UK but Jasper Thomas, investment funds manager at Aviva Pensions & Investments, says there are more reasons than ever for financial advisers to be considering them in a post-RDR world.

MUNDY'S MOMENT

THE BIQ QUESTION

UK INCOME

Henderson's Alex Crooke, manager of the £647m Bankers investment trust, has sold out of UK recovery plays as he does not expect this part of the market to deliver for a number of years.

Aviva Investors' Justin Onuekwusi has upped his exposure to a variety of niche bonds - including floating rate loans - after warning equity markets could fall in the near future.

Fund closures and mergers in the UK have soared to a record high in the past six months as groups cull smaller or underperforming funds amid pressure on margins.

New business at insurance giant Aviva was up 18% in the three months to 31 March, reaching £191m, according to its latest results.

ONE TO WATCH

Fund managers are starting to buy back into UK-listed large-cap miners, seeing valuations as too good to refuse as wider sentiment on the sector hits a "decade low".