Women hoping to buy-back missed state pension contributions are facing a 50% price hike in April, it has been revealed.

IFA Buckles is continuing its policy of acquiring the businesses of retiring IFAs after agreeing a deal with Cheshire-based adviser Highgrove Investments.

Franklin Templeton Investments' Luxembourg-registered Templeton Global Bond fund has been added to Cofunds' offshore fund platform.

A single global Shari'ah board is needed if Shari'ah-compliant investing is to be standardised across jurisdictions, according to Saqib Masood, head of Islamic product development at HSBC Saudi Arabia.

The FSA admits the combined impact of the RDR and the increased capital requirements for firms may force some investment advisers out of business.

Building society depositors will benefit from twice as much protection in the event of a merger after the FSA revised its rules.

The huge spike in the VIX index of S&P500 volatility is not likely to revert to the mean in the near future, according to Catherine Vaughn of JPMorgan hedge fund outfit Highbridge Capital Management.

Pensions alone cannot solve a looming retirement crisis caused by the baby boomer effect and a radical rethink is needed, according to pensions expert Ros Altmann.

The ifs School of Finance has launched a membership facility for advisers to help them meet the demands arising from the FSA's Retail Distribution Review (RDR).

Invista European Real Estate Trust Sicaf will suspend dividend payments to conserve cash with a view to de-gearing the company.