UK

Pfizer, the US pharmaceuticals giant which today raised its offer for UK rival AstraZeneca, has written to Prime Minister David Cameron in an attempt to appease fears over the impact of any takeover.

The UK economy expanded by 0.8% in Q1, slightly below economists' expectations.

Wealth management firms are making final preparations for the introduction of US tax regime FATCA as the 5 May registration deadline approaches.

Stephen Jones, chief investment officer of Kames Capital, has said the UK's improving GDP figures mean it is now rivalling some emerging markets in the growth stakes.

Unicorn Asset Management is looking to strengthen its core UK equity offering by renaming one fund, preparing a new launch for John McClure and hiring two new team members.

Alastair Winter, chief economist at Daniel Stewart & Co, reveals his global economic outlook following a turbulent first quarter - and warns there will be plenty of opportunities to lose money in 2014.

Investec is planning to switch Alastair Mundy and David Lynch's £100m Capital Accumulator fund from a zero dividend fund into a high conviction stock-picking portfolio, Investment Week understands.

The International Monetary Fund (IMF) upgraded its UK GDP forecast and now predicts the country will see stronger growth than any other G7 economy this year.

UK EQUITIES

The UK has seen a sharp drop in new fund launches at the start of 2014, attributed to administration backlogs, pricing overhauls and Neil Woodford's forthcoming new venture.