First State Investments will no longer accept new platform business for its £5.6bn Asia Pacific Leaders and offshore Global Emerging Markets Select funds in an effort to limit inflows.

The gearing and mid/small cap bias of Anthony Bolton's Fidelity China Special Situations trust have raised questions over its suitability for retail investors, Winterflood Securities has said.

Franklin Templeton has launched a Brazilian Opportunities fund targeting a total return from Brazilian equity, fixed income and currency markets.

The Investment Management Association (IMA) is to begin charging non-members to list funds in its sectors in a move that could see some groups removing vehicles from the listings altogether.

HSBC has put aside $1.3bn (£830m) in UK customer redress provisions and $700m (£450m) relating to US regulatory and legal issues as it reports $12.7bn in interim pre-tax profit.

Barclays has reported pre-tax profits of £4.2bn for the six months to 30 June but has set aside £450m for swaps redress and revealed its finance director is under investigation by the FSA.

Alison Carnwath, the head of the Barclays remuneration committee that approved former CEO Bob Diamond's £17m pay package earlier this year, has left the bank.

Newton is to launch an Emerging Markets Income fund for Jason Pidcock to complement the manager's existing £2.1bn Asia Income fund.

UK dividends rose 18.4% in Q2 2012 to reach a record high of £22.6bn, fuelled by special dividends and strong underlying growth, according to the latest Capita Dividend Monitor.

European equity markets have slumped in afternoon trading as Spanish 10-year bond yields approach record highs once again.