UK

UK GDP rose by 0.7% in Q4, according to an initial estimate from the Office for National Statistics, with growth for the year as a whole rising at its fastest rate since 2007.

IFAonline sister title Investment Week understands insurer Zurich UK has approached a number of asset managers with plans to create a fund management business in the UK.

Economist and founder of Capital Economics Roger Bootle has said that quantitative easing (QE) is not the "inflation danger" people should be worried about - the focus should be on the intentions of the government.

Capita Asset Services is predicting a record year for UK dividends in 2014, despite a lacklustre period for dividend returns last year.

Old Mutual Global Investors' Richard Buxton has told IFAonline sister title Investment Week his move from Schroders to his new firm is his last in fund management.

Multi-asset managers are finding renewed opportunities in UK government bonds as they try to eke out value for their portfolios at the start of 2014.

FIVE THINGS

Britain's growth rate could reach as high as 4% this year as the recovery accelerates, economists have said.

FIVE THINGS

Ratings agency Standard & Poor's has retained an AAA sovereign credit rating for the UK but says there is still a one in three chance of a downgrade next year.