Equities

Shares in Henderson Global Investors have been cut to a sell by analysts at Shore Capital after a dramatic surge in price this year left them trading well above their historic average.

Lazard Asset Management's UK business has seen profits fall sharply by 75% in 2012 following a rise in outflows as well as a jump in costs.

Shares in the Royal Bank of Scotland have slumped in morning trading after Chancellor George Osborne said a break-up of the semi state-owned lender could take place "within weeks".

Shares in Royal Mail jumped 2.5% to 487p as it officially floated today, following a flurry of trading activity in the stock prior to its listing.

NORTHERN EUROPE

In his final speech as deputy governor of the Bank of England Paul Tucker revealed that the resolution regime, which will allow one of the world's largest banks to collapse without being rescued, is now in place.

Stockbrokers across the City are considering lodging an official complaint after many were excluded from the Royal Mail float last week.

The price of Royal Mail shares has soared well above the government's offer price after conditional trading in the company began this morning.

Martin Currie has appointed Michael Millar as an investment manager on its Asian equities team.

St James's Place has selected IFDS to administer its protection, investments, pensions and collectives business.