Opinion

What is the difference between an investment trust and a gamble? ITs were an issue confronted by the dragons on Dragons' Den two weeks ago.

Over the last few weeks, I have had a number of conversations with innovative fund providers about everything from a new managed commodities fund run by a boutique, through to a macro asset allocation fund launched by a large investment bank.

The battleground of fund charges is beginning to gather momentum and is set to only accelerate as the industry comes to terms with the market volatility and its effects on investor behaviour.

So as I said a couple of weeks ago I have just finished reading Peter Hargreaves' book In for a Penny about the rise and rise of Hargreaves Lansdown.

Fund Manager Presentation

I have just finished reading Peter Hargreaves' book In for a Penny - more of that in a few weeks - but in it he refers to four types of investments.

The announcement by the Conservatives they would put regulation of the banks back in the hands of Bank of England if they win the next election was greeted with general approval by most who commented.

I am not going to bore you with my applause for the FSA's recent RDR proposals - anything that moves us away from the current system is going to get my vote, especially if it forces investors to ditch their myopia on commission-based fees and ‘encourages'...

For an investment manager, rising equity markets are most welcome.

There have been two events within the multi-manager sector of the market occurring in the last two weeks - both quite different in nature - that are equally important and point a way forward for advisers.