Jupiter

As China enters the Year of the Snake - associated with wisdom, as well as luck with finances - wealth managers reveal their top fund choices in a region which can move quickly against investors.

Jupiter has launched the Merlin Real Return fund for Algy Smith-Maxwell as it shuts the manager's Jupiter Equity fund.

Barclays analysts have labelled Jupiter, Aberdeen and Hargreaves Lansdown as the three UK asset managers to buy, in its latest note on the sector.

The return of high-profile funds to the top of the performance charts is shaking up the UK equity rankings, just as the asset class returns to favour.

Jupiter's Merlin multi-manager team have shifted their UK equity allocation within the £1.7bn Merlin Growth portfolio in order to gain exposure to active managers looking across the FTSE 350 spectrum.

Solid inflows into its mutual fund business and segregated mandates, as well as positive market movements, helped Jupiter grow its assets under management to over £26bn in Q4.

The current equity rally is sustainable but investors should not forget the longer-term impact of inflationary policies , according to Jupiter CIO John Chatfeild-Roberts.

FUND MANAGER VIEWS

Jupiter's Anthony Nutt has said now is a "good time" to retire despite markets offering what he sees as the best investment opportunity in over a decade.

Today Investment Week exclusively revealed Jupiter's Anthony Nutt was handing over his £2bn Income Trust next year ahead of his retirement in 2014, but is now the time to buy in?