Lloyds is set to choose a buyer for its Insight Investments operations within weeks, having reportedly received five binding offers from firms including Schroders and Gartmore owners Hellman & Friedman.

The Dow Jones held its level in early trading today, despite worrying results from Morgan Stanley.

The FTSE 100 retreated for the first time in seven days this morning as financial stocks fell out of favour.

The FTSE 100 this morning reinforced yesterday's gains as mining stocks continued to climb.

In London, Friends Provident shares surged this morning as Resolution expressed interest in buying the company.

Arch Financial Products has made a bid to improve the transparency of its funds, including the suspended Arch cru range, with the launch of a new website.

The FTSE 100 dipped closer to the 4,000 mark this morning, with miners again dragging the index down.

The Dow Jones has fallen significantly from opening, despite a rare piece of positive economic news.

The Dow Jones followed the FTSE 100, climbing strongly after opening, up 95 points (1.1%) to 8,543.

Midas Capital is beginning its fund rationalisation programme, bringing its Miton and iimia ranges together through a series of mergers.