Commodities

BP has moved to offload a chunk of its oil and gas fields in the Gulf of Mexico in a deal worth $5.5bn (£3.4bn), as the oil major continues to raise cash to cover the cost of the catastrophe in 2010.

Schroders is to reopen its $3.1bn Commodity fund, run by Robert Howell, having restricted access to the vehicle in February 2010.

Resources funds are among the largest losers of the year so far as sharp falls in the price of oil and other commodities took their toll.

The UK's largest companies were climbing this morning on the back of Chinese stimulus hopes, after Shanghai Securities News said Chinese banks have "sped up" lending.

They have had a rocky ride, but ultimately investors with nerves of steel who backed the UK's biggest commodity stocks over the last ten years would have been rewarded for their patience.

Asian markets snapped gains made over the past week as renewed fears of a slowdown in China's economy weighed on investors.

A look back over the best and worst performing asset classes over the last ten years offers few clear answers as to where the canny investor should have put their money.

Oil prices edged back slightly from a three-week high on hints the world's largest oil producer is poised to boost output.

After a four year hiatus, Vladimir Putin won back the Russian presidency last week. Managers debate the consequences of his victory.

Rising tensions between Iran and the rest of the world could prompt a sharp correction in equity markets, according to Lorne Baring, managing director of B Capital Wealth Management.