FTSE 100

The steep fall in the oil price could damage growth and dividend prospects for some of the UK's biggest stocks, adding to managers' concerns over the outlook for the wider market.

October's sell-off contributed to bringing the valuation of the FTSE All-Share down to below historical levels. Tineke Frikkee, manager of Smith & Williamson's UK Equity Income trust, highlights stocks that still look attractive

Nigel Beidas, co-manager of the Marlborough Extra Income fund, takes a closer look at headwinds and tailwinds for UK companies.

BT shares jumped 3.7% in afternoon trading after the telecoms group revealed it is in talks over a potential £10bn takeover of mobile businesses O2 or EE.

The departure of star managers may have hidden costs for investors "stampeding" for the exit, a wealth manager has warned.

Friends Life was the biggest riser in the FTSE 100 index this morning, while Aviva was the largest faller after plans for a merger between the two companies were announced on Friday.

Mining stocks weighed on the FTSE 100 index on Thursday, as the latest economic data pointed to a slowdown in China and the eurozone.

Multi-asset managers are reducing their UK equity positions on fears next May's general election could hit sterling and weigh on valuations.

The Tenax Absolute Return Strategies fund, run by Church House Investment Management, was launched just before the financial crisis of 2008, but it has held up well during the subsequent market sell-offs because of its cautious approach.

‘Property is our favourite asset class of 2014’