Europe

Advisers are making the decision to move client funds out of beleaguered New Star Asset Management, with one platform noting a ten-fold increase in transfers away from the company's funds so far this month.

Much of the bad news appears to be at the very least priced in to European equity valuations, with volatility measures already at extremes, according to Invesco Perpetual's Jeff Taylor.

Smith & Williamson has hired Mark Pignatelli to run the European Growth Trust as the first stage in a plan to expand and push the group's profile in the retail fund market.

Europe is capable of bottoming much earlier in the economic cycle than in previous recessions and the worst of the damage to equity valuations may have already occurred, according to BlackRock's Alister Hibbert.

Resolution Argonaut's forthcoming Absolute Alpha fund is to be seeded with approximately £20m from newly-formed Ignis Asset Management.

European markets have a "better than even" chance of ending the year 5-10pc higher than currently standings, according to Baring Asset Management's director of European equities James Buckley.

European large cap stocks are more likely to outperform than small or mid caps over the course of the next cycle, according to Lazard Asset Management's Aaron Barnfather.

F&C is to add an income share class to its Paras Anand-led European fund, whilst also adopting the use of derivatives as permitted under UCITS III.

A combination of continued corporate activity, structural change and attractive valuations make the European small cap sector an attractive long-term proposition, according to Barings' Nick Williams.

Jupiter's Cédric de Fonclaire has explained how appreciation of the Euro has had varied consequences for the fortunes of companies in the region.