US

The recent £23bn fine for Reynolds American could be a sign that tobacco sector is due to face another era of battling lawsuits. But if CEOs keep their houses in order, investors will stay hooked on tobacco stocks argues Miton's US manager Nick Ford....

The US economy created 209,000 new jobs in July, its sixth straight month of 200,000 plus jobs added to the economy, but nonetheless undershot forecasts.

US GDP growth has risen more than expected in Q2, according to initial estimates, with the contraction in the first quarter less bad than had been feared.

Substantial risks do remain in the US market, but steer clear of cyclical sectors and it should be plain sailing, argues Carmignac Gestion's Sandra Crowl.

With US equities marking 4 July celebrations by reaching fresh highs this week, Investment Week looks at the best performers of the past three years.

The US' two main markets climbed to record highs on Thursday, driven by better than expected jobs data.

Legal & General Investments is to merge its active North American fund into its much US index fund, as well as merging two of its Asia-Pacific mandates.

US Fed chair Janet Yellen has said the 2008 financial crisis would not have been prevented had interest rates been higher, adding that fresh concerns about financial stability now should not prompt a rate increase.

US EQUITIES

Henderson global Investors has agreed a deal to buy US fund manager Geneva Capital Management in a deal worth up to $200m (£117m).