News

Official figures show China's GDP grew 10.3% in 2010, beating market expectations of a slowdown.

Brazil has raised interest rates sharply, following China, India and host of countries across the emerging world in acting to curb inflation and counter the flood of dollar liquidity from the US.

Templeton's Mark Mobius is mulling plans to establish a hedge fund, which would manoeuvre the firm into the $1.9trn alternative asset management space.

London's leading share index was down 0.37% at 5,954.39 in early trading on Thursday, hampered by disappointing results from US companies and weakness in Asia.

M&G's George Tsinonis, Giles Worthington and Tim Short are leaving the firm, leading to a management reshuffle on several funds.

Rising emerging market stocks have boosted the MSCI EM index to its highest level in two and a half years, on speculation China's inflation eased last month.

Rising inflation is applying upwards pressure on interest rates, creating the potential for an acute policy dilemma later in the year, says Cazenove's Richard Jeffrey.

There will be a surge of M&A activity in the US this year as the economic recovery gathers pace, says PSigma's James Abate.

Spain's economic problems will be the ultimate test for the euro but the currency will emerge stronger, says Aegon's Phil Milburn.

F&C's purchases of Thames River and REIT could prove harmful to shareholders' interests, according to Sherborne Investors, which is seeking to oust the group's chairman Nick MacAndrew.