FTSE 100

Jamie Smith, chairman of the UK Structured Products Association, asks: Is it time the consumer press were made more accountable for their coverage of structured products?

Miton is preparing to add a new product to its stable for the two managers it recently poached from Matterley.

No-one likes a party pooper, but could someone please explain to this bemused contrarian why equity investors have suddenly become so optimistic?

While markets are nearing - or passing through - nominal highs, in reality, UK shares would need to climb much higher just to meet inflation-adjusted pre-crisis highs of 2007.

Shares in Schroders have climbed over 1% in early trading on the FTSE 100 as UBS removed its ‘sell' rating and investors grow more optimistic over the asset manager's prospects.

Blue chip insurer Aviva's shares have fallen 14% after the group revealed a £3bn loss in 2012 caused by a huge writedown in its US business.

CONTRARIAN

The Dow Jones Industrial Average - one of the two most quoted indices in the US - has hit a record high above 14,200 points, surpassing its 2007 peak.

The UK's blue chip index is trading back near a five-year high this morning after a near 1% gain, as a bumper set of results lift shares.

EQUITY MARKETS