Specialist

Transact has partnered with Octopus Investments to become the first platform to offer venture capital trusts (VCTs) following the introduction of new legislation.

Venture capital trust (VCT) fundraising reached a nine-year high in the last tax year, according to the data from the Association of Investment Companies (AIC.)

Structured product sales strategies under the spotlight

News of Neil Woodford's forthcoming trust investing in early stage companies has prompted comparisons with venture capital trusts (VCTs), but analysts say they are unlikely to appeal to the same kinds of investors.

The lowdown on VCT investing

Retail fund sales last year were at their highest level since 2010, according to the latest figures from the Investment Association (IA).

... oil. What is the deep impact of a radically lower oil price?

The precipitous decline in the oil price has continued, with a further slump in Brent crude seeing it trade below $50 for the first time in more than five years.

Architas has launched a fund of funds designed to offer investors exposure to alternative asset classes such as infrastructure and forestry.

The price of Brent crude oil has fallen another 8% to $71 per barrel after the Organization of the Petroleum Exporting Countries (OPEC) decided not to cut output on Thursday.