Investment Funds

With inflation replacing recessionary fears as the primary concern for markets, retail investors who piled back into corporate bond funds in recent months are likely to be licking their wounds this week.

The latest survey from Investment Life & Pensions Moneyfacts has revealed that multi manger funds are delivering superior long-term returns to conventional funds, despite the burden of higher charges.

The spot price of hot rolled steel coil, steel rebar and plate has risen in 2008, in spite of slowing demand from the US auto and construction sectors.

A deterioration in company liquidity should prevent the MPC from hiking rates this summer, according to New Star's Chief Economist Simon Ward.

JPMorgan Asset Management (JPMAM) is delighted to announce that it has been named Leading Pan-European Fund Management Firm in the Thomson Reuters Extel Survey 2008. The survey rated fund management firms on their overall quality of service and industry knowledge.

Barclays Wealth has added an Eastern Europe option to its pioneering Emerging Markets Optimiser investment as demand continues to mount for protected exposure to areas of higher growth potential.

iShares, the world's largest provider of exchange traded funds (ETFs), announced today the iShares € Corporate Bond fund has surpassed €1 billion in assets under management - the first bond ETF within the iShares range to reach this milestone.

Fidelity International has extended the marketing of its Fidelity Active STrategy (FAST) funds, a family of specialist active extension portfolios, to professional investors across Europe following the funds' conversion to UCITS III and completion of local market registration.

The return of inflation in Japan is good news for its economy and could trigger an overdue shift out of bonds into equities, according to Resolution Asset Management.

With consumers having to pay more at the petrol pump, it is somewhat reducing the impact of the US government's $168 billion economic rescue package, according to Cory Gilchrist, Manager of the Gartmore US Opportunities Fund and the Gartmore SICAV US Opportunities Fund.

JPMorgan Asset Management (JPMAM) announced that it had won 21 mandates from UK pension plans at year to date 2008, with a total AUM of approximately £1 billion. JPMAM also saw significant flows into alternative asset classes such as infrastructure, real estate, and hedge funds.

Prudential has launched two new Target Return funds, designed to provide inflation-beating returns (CPI plus four per cent and six per cent respectively) over the medium-term by investing in a wide range of asset classes.

F&C Investments, the London-listed global asset manager with over US$ 200 billion under management, is poised to further extend its footprint by establishing a distribution and business development presence in Asia with the opening of a Hong Kong office.

Tim Steer, manager of the New Star UK Alpha Fund, comments on Bradford & Bingley and why successful UK equity managers should have a global focus: "Some well known market commentators may have been telling us that the worst of the credit crunch is over and things are looking up for financials, but this does not apply to all financial stocks.

While sentiment amongst ISA investors at the end of the tax year was extremely cautious, the beginning of the new tax year and the apparent return of stability to the markets is starting to spark renewed investor confidence according to Barclays Stockbrokers Funds Market.

Ariel Bezalel, manager of the newly-launched Jupiter Strategic Bond Fund will focus on investment grade bonds issued by large European/US banks, with about a third of the portfolio held in financials.

New Star is delighted to announce that the New Star Indian Equity Fund will be launched on 9 June and will have a three-week fixed price offer period that will run to 12.00 noon on 27 June.

Scarborough Holdings Ltd has reshaped its far eastern interests after taking a significant stake within one of China’s most active property development companies.

Close Investments (UK) Limited, announces the reduction of the initial charge on their Close Escalator Fund range to 3% across all four funds.

Legal & General's Dynamic Bond Trust, which launched 30 April 2007, is celebrating a successful first year. Over that period, the Trust performed extremely well within the Other Bond sector, by being 7th percentile since launch (source Lipper 30/04/08).

Five top performing M&G equity funds have been added to Winterthur's Tailored Selection range of funds, and will be available across Winterthur's entire product range of products.

Four Threadneedle funds have been added to Winterthur's Tailored Selection range of Funds, and will be available across Winterthur's entire range of products.

Barclays Wealth has split its Defined Returns Plan into two distinct investments and introduced a four-year capital protected option as part of its drive to enhance clarity and product choice in the IFA market.

Skipton Financial Services' newly revamped website - sfsinvestdirect.co.uk - makes it easier than ever for investors to buy and manage their investment products online, by helping them make informed choices.

Threadneedle has increased its estimates for UK inflation and interest rates, pointing to difficult times for the domestic economy.

Jonathan Waghorn and Mark Lacey, portfolio managers and energy specialists at Investec Asset Management, comment on the outlook for oil prices following recent record highs.

New survey research published today suggests that despite an upsurge in ethical and green investment in recent years, the public has an appetite for 'responsible' investment that is still far from being saturated.

Despite oil prices rising above $135 a barrel for the first time this morning, Jeremy Tigue, manager of the Foreign & Colonial Investment Trust, believes the impact that these high prices have had on the economy has so far been limited.

While banks and financial institutions may well have turned a corner post the bursting of the credit bubble, the global economy and companies exposed to it have yet to feel its full effect.