Technical Matters

Helen Morrissey speaks to Karin Brown about Prudential's new Income Choice Annuity

The Dow Jones is climbing cautiously higher, up by 5.58 points (0.07%) to 8409.38, as figures show US consumer confidence rose this month to its highest point since September.

New qualifications for financial advice designed to meet the Retail Distribution Review (RDR) should incorporate three compulsory areas of study and a series of specialist options, the Chartered Insurance Institute (CII) proposes today.

SSAS members could face huge tax charges if their accounts are not in order, and advisers should make their clients aware of the risks involved of using a part-time administrator, warns Hazell Carr.

Legg Mason head of retail sales Andy McNulty has been made redundant following a restructure of the team.

Accusing offshore centres of causing economic turmoil is akin to blaming rising UK unemployment on the influx of foreign workers, law giant BakerPlatt says.

New offshore bond sales have plunged 42.6% year on year, but have suffered less than the onshore bond market.

The IMA has amended its main definition of funds in the Absolute Return sector to emphasis the fact they should be delivering absolute returns over a 12-month timeframe.

The financial strength of an investment bond provider is even more important for advisers than the underlying fund selection, according to a major new report by Capita Financial Software.