Equities

RETAIL

A fresh record high for US equity markets lifted stocks around the globe overnight, after positive data in the States sent shares soaring.

The last week has been one of major upheaval in the world of pensions, after George Osborne's latest Budget removed the requirement to buy an annuity, and the FCA then said it was preparing to probe closed life books. But which shares within the sector...

Shares in Resolution and peers tumbled today following reports the FCA is to probe 30 million legacy insurance policies.

For managers looking to add alpha to their portfolios, striking the balance between stock concentration and portfolio diversification can be a tricky one.

INVESTMENT TRUSTS

Royal Mail, which was recently floated on the stock exchange, has announced it is scrapping a total of 1300 roles in a cost-cutting drive, with shares falling as the initial cost of the cuts spooks investors.

The Royal Bank of Scotland is in talks with the government to buy back £1.5bn of shares held by UKFI in a move which could hasten its return to the dividend register.

Tumbling commodities prices have hit equity markets this morning, driving the FTSE 100 into the red for a fourth consecutive day.

Lloyds Banking Group has said it intends to pay its chief executive £4.9m in 2014, as well as paying some staff bonuses worth double their annual salaries.