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Investments

Birmingham Midshires launches new fixed rate bond

Birmingham Midshires, a leading provider of fixed rate bonds, has announced the launch of a new 1 Year Fixed Rate Bond. From today, savers will be able to secure an attractive fixed rate of interest at 6.40% gross/AER for a full year.

Forsyth-OBSR upgrade two Threadneedle American equity funds

Forsyth-OBSR upgraded the £845 million Threadneedle American Fund managed by Andy Holliman, and the £557 million Threadneedle American Select Fund managed by Cormac Weldon, from A to AA because of consistent and strong performance.

Abbey issues new fixed-term savings bonds

Abbey Savings has launched its latest tranche of fixed-term savings accounts for customers looking for a guaranteed return on an amount of money they can lock away for a set time.

Top Ten Retail Investor Buys & Sells for week ending 15 June 2007

Angus Rigby, Chief Executive Officer, TD Waterhouse, commented: Investors have shown renewed confidence in waste specialist Biffa this week after the Company reported back with an update on full-year revenues on Wednesday. Trading has been strong in Biffa since its demerger from Severn Trent last October.

Fixed Interest

With gilts under pressure and credit spreads so narrow, these are difficult times for fixed-interest investors. However, Gartmore is showing that fundamental credit research can add value even when overall market conditions are difficult.

Market Volatility

Last Thursday’s rise in bond yields cast a cloud over equities, sending major markets down on the day. The yield on the 10-year US government bonds registered its biggest one-day advance in years, above 5%.

Strong Demand from China Supports Industrial Metals Prices

While the global growth picture has been positive, economies in transition such as China and India are generating strong demand for industrial metals. China is short of key raw materials such as iron ore, zinc and nickel, all needed for the production of steel and steel products.

Corporate Japan under the microscope

As Japan Inc enters the crunch AGM voting season, when virtually all companies meet over a two-week period, F&C will be voting at some 350 meetings.

Don't take comfort from latest retail sales data

While the consensus view of the latest retail sales figures issued today by the Office for National Statistics (ONS) is that retail sales are buoyant, Ted Scott, manager of the top performing F&C UK Growth & Income Fund, is less than convinced. Scott points out that the overall trend is one of declining momentum as the impact of interest rate rises starts to bite.

Buxton’s alpha style unleashes investment trust

Recent changes to the investment style of the Schroder UK Growth Fund plc have unleashed top quartile performance.

FundsNetwork expands online reporting services

Fidelity FundsNetwork has enhanced its online management information services for advisers, with the addition of two newly launched electronic reports, specifically designed to make back-office servicing easier.

Friends Provident International scores a Singaporean hat trick

The company has marked the opening of its office in Singapore with the launch of its first product - Global Portfolio, a portfolio personal bond – which is also the first, and only, product of its kind authorised for sale in Singapore.

Baronsmead AIM VCT – strong advance in first quarter

The Directors of Baronsmead AIM VCT are pleased to announce the first quarter results for the 3 months to 30 April 2007.

S&P assigns fund management ratings to Fidelity MultiManager Funds

Standard & Poor’s Fund Services, the leading provider of qualitative fund management ratings, assigns Fund Management Ratings to three Fidelity MultiManager Funds, following a detailed qualitative evaluation of the investment process and management of these funds:

Cross-border real estate investment in Asia increases

Affordability of residential property, increasing transparency and the strong growth of REITs mean this trend is set to continue, says Fidelity International.