FTSE 100

The FTSE 100 index has endured its worst week since June as investors became increasingly nervous ahead of the planned referendum in Crimea due on Sunday.

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

Suggestions 2013-2014 has seen the return of a stockpickers' equity market are "rubbish", according to Threadneedle head of UK equities Simon Brazier.

The FTSE 100 got off to a positive start on Monday, with shares shrugging off weak data from both China and Japan to move higher.

Multi-asset managers are using setbacks such as that caused last week by unrest in Ukraine to increase their exposure to buoyant markets.

With this week marking the five-year anniversary of both record low base rates and the FTSE 100 bottoming, Investment Week looks at the funds that have taken advantage of the subsequent recovery.

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.

St James's Place is set to make its inaugural entry into the FTSE 100 when the index's quarterly review takes place later today.

UK EQUITIES

Major UK financials were in the doldrums today, with both Royal Bank of Scotland and Standard Life sharply lower in early trading following updates from the businesses.