Axa Investment Managers (Axa IM) has restructured its Fixed Income Division, headed up by Theo Zemek.

Despite the S&P Latin American index having fallen by more than 30pc in the last three months, Will Landers, manager of the BlackRock Latin American investment trust, remains bullish on the region's prospects.

The credit crunch has created a window of opportunity to buy traded life policies (TLPs) offering returns of around 10pc per annum, according to Managing Partners Limited.

Advisers will be able to compare mortgage and secured loans with a new function on Orbiter's online sourcing and compliance system.

The Legal & General Growth Trust has been awarded an A rating by OBSR in recognition of consistently producing the returns it aims to deliver.

AXA Investment Managers has restructured its fixed income division, headed up by Theo Zemek, and confirmed the appointment of Chris Iggo - formerly a senior member of the investment strategy team - as CIO of fixed income.

The European Commission believes it likely the UK, Germany and Spain will all enter a recession before the end of the year.

Last week saw the inaugural meeting of the Professional Services Global Competitiveness (PSGC) group.

Just Retirement, the specialist UK life assurance group focusing on the provision of financial services to those at or in retirement, has announced a rise in total sales of 12.8% for the year ended 30 June 2008.

After a disappointing day yesterday, the FTSE continues its decline, falling 16.60 points (0.31%) to 5399.00.