m&a

QUICKFIRE Q&A

Leading bond managers including Jim Leaviss at M&G are moving away from high yield debt on concerns over rising leverage in the US and high valuations.

Australian banking giant Macquarie Group has moved to scupper Aberdeen Asset Management's deal to buy Scottish Widows Investment Partnership (SWIP) after making a £500m cash offer for the business, according to reports.

Boutique asset manager City Financial is targeting two multi-manager firms as it looks to expand its business through further acquisitions.

THE BIG INTERVIEW

Aberdeen Asset Management and Macquarie Group are the two remaining bidders battling it out for Scottish Widows Investment Management (SWIP), Investment Week understands.

UK income managers may be set for a huge boost if Vodafone agrees to sell its 45% stake in Verizon Wireless, but any deal could create longer-term problems for the UK dividend market.

SVM's World Equity fund, run by Neil Veitch, has benefited from a pickup in merger and acquisition (M&A) activity this year, with a number of takeover targets giving his fund a lift.

John Porteous, head of wealth management at RSM Tenon, has outlined the three worries keeping him awake at night as he steers the business through a challenging environment for UK financial services post-RDR.

Baker Tilly has announced it would pay cash for RSM Tenon, following an investors' notice last week that it was considering the acquisition.