bonds

The interest rates for two new government-backed bonds for the over 65s will be announced on 12 December, Treasury documents show.

Bonds continue to dominate UK net retail sales although equity funds are starting to gain ground, according to IMA sales figures for July.

The ABI will create a new investment sector called Deposit & Treasury, which will have stricter limits than the existing money market category.

Britannia International has launched a new issue of its Guaranteed Capital Bond due to demand.

Iveagh, the Guinness family office and private investment house, is to move its Iveagh Wealth fund to daily dealing with effect from 1 August 2009.

Pacific Investment Management Company (Pimco) has filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission to launch five active fixed income ETFs - three short duration and two tax exempt - as well as two ETFs that track treasury indices.

M&G's Richard Woolnough has reduced his exposure to interest rate risk in his Optimal Income fund on the back of concerns about a possible excess in supply of government bonds.

Canada Life International (CLI) has added the Julius Baer Physical Gold fund to its single and regular premium investment bonds.

There is still a need for a greater understanding of the bond market amongst experienced advisers as well as newcomers to the industry, according to M&G managing director, global sales Jonathan Willcocks.

New offshore bond sales have plunged 42.6% year on year, but have suffered less than the onshore bond market.