pimco

Our best read story this week was Halloween-themed, as we revealed the ten scariest stocks in the UK, guaranteed to give you nightmares.

ON BONDS

Aberdeen Asset Management has confirmed rumours it is in talks to buy Scottish Widows Investment Partnership (SWIP) in a deal which would make it the largest listed fund management firm in Europe.

The US government shutdown combined with growing concern over the country's debt ceiling have led to renewed fears US equity markets could sell off heavily if the impasse continues.

THE BIQ QUESTION

PIMCO, the world's largest bond house, lost its position as the best-selling fund group in Europe in the first half of the year.

The managers of PIMCO's $28bn income range have upped exposure to the US mortgage sector after May and June's sell-off.

BIG INTERVIEW

PIMCO's Bill Gross has likened the recent sell-off in bonds to the "Battle of the Somme", but said the group is well positioned to fight on in future.

Bill Gross' $268bn PIMCO Total Return bond fund saw record outflows of almost $10bn in June as investors' flight from fixed income continued in earnest, according to reports.