Axa IM

AXA Investment Managers has confirmed plans for a global strategic bond fund for fixed income manager Nick Hayes.

Three absolute return funds were among a raft of launches seen last week despite the IMA reporting the highest outflows on record from the sector in August.

AXA IM has launched the AXA WF Framlington Natural Resources fund, a global equity offering managed by Sebastien Lagarde and Olivier Eugene.

AXA Investment Managers has strengthened its offshore proposition with the launch of its third absolute return offering.

AXA Investment Managers has expanded its suite of bond funds with the addition of the Europe Short Duration High Yield fund.

AXA Investment Management is planning to reopen its onshore £535m US Short Duration High Yield fund, after removing the cap on the £4.1bn offshore version of the fund.

The Bank's decision to maintain interest rates splits opinion among economists.

Ex-New Star and Henderson fixed income specialist James Gledhill has joined AXA Investment Managers, as three staff leave the firm.

AXA Investment Managers is to hand its Health and Biotech funds to Mark Hargraves and Bruno Grandsard on a temporary basis.

Interest rates will be held at the historic low of 0.5% in May as the economy remains muted, according to AXA Investment Managers' Chris Iggo.