The FTSE 100 has soared to its highest level since early 2000, as mining and housing stocks boost the blue-chip index at the start of the week.

Old Mutual Global Investors has attracted the most retail inflows of all fund groups in the first quarter of the year, as investors flock to the group's UK star Richard Buxton.

Invesco Perpetual has launched a Global Distribution fund for co-heads of fixed interest Paul Causer and Paul Read (pictured).

Barclays will cut 19,000 jobs across the business by the end of 2016 - 14,000 of which will be lost this year - as part of what chief executive Antony Jenkins said was a "bold simplification" of the bank's structure.

Scottish Widows Investment Partnership's chief executive Dean Buckley is to leave as Aberdeen Asset Management realigns its investment division following its takeover of the Scottish group.

The International Monetary Fund (IMF) has upgraded its UK GDP forecast and now predicts the country will see stronger growth than any other G7 economy this year.

The UK has seen a sharp drop in new fund launches at the start of 2014, with administration backlogs, pricing overhauls and Neil Woodford's forthcoming new venture to blame.

Robert Howell, manager of the Schroders Alternative Solutions Commodity fund, is leaving the firm, with emerging market chief Geoff Blanning to take over the portfolio.

Mark Carney said UK interest rates could rise before next May's general election if there are continued sustainable improvements in the economy.

Aviva Investors has sold its US equity investment management subsidiary River Road Asset Management in an effort to streamline its US business.