Economics / Markets

A QUARTER of IFAs are still not properly informed about UK REITs, raising concerns they will be ill-equipped when the products are introduced in the UK in January.

BARCLAYS Capital, the investment banking division of Barclays Bank, has launched a note linked to GAM's flagship fund of hedge funds, GAM Diversity.

STANDARD Life Investments' (SLI) gross fund sales have broken £1bn in nine months, the company said.

THREADNEEDLE Investments has given an optimistic assessment on the UK equity market citing factors such as the strength of corporate balance sheets and ongoing M&A activity.

PETER Lucas, Ashburton's global investment strategist, has warned the effects of May's market correction are still being felt.

ALLIANZ Global Investors has predicted an increasing role for environmental technology companies within the economy.

A LEADING provider of benchmark indices and risk management analytics products has moved a step forward in its attempts to enhance the investable universe.

THE future is looking bright for utility shares amid rising sector indices and the predictable nature of their earnings helping to strengthen the appeal in the long term, according to ABN AMRO.

ALLCHURCHES Investment Management Services has altered the ethical mandate of its Amity fund to allow it to hold oil stocks for the first time.

SHEFFIELD Mutual is launching a new income bond into the UK retail marketplace.