The Government has committed to create a level playing field on VAT for retail investors in Islamic finance products.

Chancellor Alistair Darling has pledged £400m new funding to boost companies involved in clean technology and home owners using renewable energy.

Merchant Securities, the financial services group which earlier this year acquired IFA Cavendish Young, has reported an underlying profit before tax of £289,471 for the six months to 30 September, compared to a loss of £581,575 during the same period...

Fund managers are cautiously optimistic about the outcome of the UN climate change in Copenhagen, though there is recognition any binding agreement will not materialise until the end of 2010.

Meteor Asset Management has received FSA approval to establish a separate administration company which will give greater protection to investors.

Industry veteran Piers Denne has been hired by alternative investment boutique Future Capital Partners (FCP) to head up its new business development strategy.

A sharp 1% rise for the Dow Jones in early trading has extended gains for the FTSE 100 this afternoon, as fears over Dubai debt exposures continued to wane.

Blue Sky Asset Management has launched two structured products designed to achieve returns even if equity markets fail to rise.

Plan providers Gilliat Financial Solutions and Jubilee Financial Products have launched new early redemption investments linked to the FTSE 100.

Lowes Financial Management has launched a structured products website targeted at IFAs to help them compare plans from across the market.