Standard Life

Volatility created attractive entry point

With passive vehicles once again in the spotlight as the price war hots up, managers explain how they use the products and comment on the expanding smart-beta marketplace

A new industry initiative aiming to improve liquidity in the fixed income market has gone live under the title Neptune, supported by 42 banks and investment firms.

The news the government and the FCA are to launch a major review into consumer access to financial advice has been widely welcomed.

Shares in Standard Life fell 3% in early morning trading as half yearly results revealed a drop in annuities sales had hit the Edinburgh-based group's profits.

Graham Mudie has joined Aviva Investors' sales teams from Standard Life Investments, as chief executive Euan Munro continues to recruit from his former company.

Standard Life Wealth has poached Barclays' wealth and investment director Andy Brodie for the role of head of operations.

Keith Skeoch, current chief executive of Standard Life Investments, is to take over from David Nish as head of parent company Standard Life.

A market for stockpickers

A "combination of politics and pensions" contributed to slower sales across platforms in the first three months of the year, with the year-on-year (YOY) asset growth rate also receding, according to research.