UK Equity Income

INCOME

Allianz Global Investors is to merge away three UK equity funds as it refocuses its adviser business in the UK.

The managers of the £4.4bn Artemis Income fund bought into Standard Chartered last month, but the bank's leading shareholder is reportedly looking to offload its stake.

Troy Asset Management's Sebastian Lyon has advised investors not to buy equities now, as stock valuations are stretched to 2007 levels.

Invesco Perpetual's Neil Woodford is running the most concentrated portfolios seen in his 25-year fund management career in an effort to shield his funds from economic headwinds.

UK dividends rose 18.4% in Q2 2012 to reach a record high of £22.6bn, fuelled by special dividends and strong underlying growth, according to the latest Capita Dividend Monitor.

Invesco Perpetual's Neil Woodford has said he expects profit warnings will come "thick and fast" in the near term after identifying them as a key risk to markets in the current environment.

Neptune's Robin Geffen has revealed the ‘best of British brands' he backs in his £1.3bn Income fund which are soaring due to emerging markets consumer demand.

HSBC Income fund of funds manager Julian York said his policy of "not looking to shoot the lights out" has helped guide him to the top quartile of the IMA Mixed Investment 20-60% Shares sector.

Neil Woodford's £20bn income portfolios are set for a boost after small-cap healthcare stock Proximagen was subject to an agreed bid, at more than twice the share price he paid.