Equities

WHAT'S HOT?

The UK government is looking at fully nationalising beleaguered bank RBS in an attempt to kick-start lending to British businesses.

RETURNS

First State Investments will no longer accept new platform business for its £5.6bn Asia Pacific Leaders and offshore Global Emerging Markets Select funds in an effort to limit inflows.

The gearing and mid/small cap bias of Anthony Bolton's Fidelity China Special Situations trust have raised questions over its suitability for retail investors, Winterflood Securities has said.

Franklin Templeton has launched a Brazilian Opportunities fund targeting a total return from Brazilian equity, fixed income and currency markets.

The Investment Management Association (IMA) is to begin charging non-members to list funds in its sectors in a move that could see some groups removing vehicles from the listings altogether.

Friends Life has introduced fee facilitation options across a number of product ranges ahead of the implementation of new remuneration rules brought about by the Retail Distribution Review (RDR).

HSBC has put aside $1.3bn (£830m) in UK customer redress provisions and $700m (£450m) relating to US regulatory and legal issues as it reports $12.7bn in interim pre-tax profit.

European stocks are climbing after a four day sell-off, following a pledge from European Central Bank president Mario Draghi that the ECB will "do whatever it takes to preserve the euro".