Blue Sky Asset Management has launched a combined 5-Year income Plan and 'auto-call' early closure hybrid income plan, which aims to tackle an uncertain economic background and interest rates. The plan offers 3.5 per cent income potential every six months, and the auto-call early closure feature can return capital to investors after 12 months.

HSBC Global Asset Management has launched its HSBC GIF Global Core Credit Bond fund, which offers diversified exposure to spreads on investment grade global corporate bonds, hedged against foreign currency exchange risks. The fund consists 50 per cent of Merrill Lynch US Corporate 1-10 years index, and 50 per cent ML Euro Corporate. The fund is managed by the global credit team at HSBC's active management specialist, Halbis.

AllianceBernstein has launched a bespoke range of funds targeting at defined contribution (DC) pension schemes. The funds combine features from traditional approaches of lifestyling and balanced strategies. The funds are aimed at the 90 per cent of DC members who do not have time or desire to make investment decisions, and so end up in default funds.

A set of new exchange traded funds (ETFs) has been launched on the London Stock Exchange by BlackRock's iShares product range. The four new ETFs, three of which are single country and the fourth an accumulating version of the iShares DJ Euro STOXX 50, provide exposure to companies in predominantly the financial and commodities sectors, and complement iShares' existing single country range of ETFs. The iShares MSCI Australia, iShares MSCI Canada and iShares MSCI South Africa ETFs make up the three single country products, and brig iShares' listings on the LSE up to 90.


A collaboration between FTSE Group (FTSE) and EDHEC-Risk Institute (EDHEC-Risk) has led to the establishment of the FTSE EDHEC-Rosh Efficient Index Series, which applies a risk adjusted strategy to market capitalisation indices, improving returns and ultimately creating an efficient risk: reward ratio. These new indices form part of FTSE's growing range of investment strategy indices, which are designed to complement and diversify traditional market capitalisation investment.

Amundi has listed 13 new products on the NYSE Euronext Paris in its pursuit of CASAM ETF's development strategy. Six unprecedented short bond ETFs, four new commodity ETFs (four of which are unique), two European equity ETFs and one emerging market ETF have been added to the 41 ETFs launched in 2009.

Hazel Capital has launched its Hazel Global Cleantech Equity Fund. The Dublin-domiciled UCITS III fund aims to achieve long-term capital growth and returns in excess of its benchmark, the NEX Index, through investment in a globally diverse portfolio of companies that operate in the global Cleantech sector.

The Dalton Strategic Partnership (DSP) is to launch its MST European Fund, a sub-fund of the Melchior Selected Trust - a Luxembourg SICAV. Aiming to deliver positive absolute returns uncorrelated to equity or bond markets, the fund will be managed by Leonard Charlton, a former portfolio manager at GLG and trader at Goldman Sachs.

Investec Asset Management has launched three new funds, which use the investment powers of UCITS III. The Investec GSF Enhanced Natural Resources Fund, Investec GSF Enhanced Global Energy Fund, and the Investec GSF Emerging Markets Currency Alpha Fund are Luxembourg-domiciled funds and will add to Investec's expanding Global Strategy Fund range. Aimed at international investors, discretionary buyers, fund of funds and institutional buyers, the funds will be distributed via selected networks, and are also registered for distribution in the UK.

Merchant Investors has launched an offshore bond in association with Royal London 360˚. The pensions and investment provider, with the offshore provider based in the Isle of Man, has launched the MI Offshore Bond, an investment-linked whole of life assurance policy which allows up to six lives assured. Clients can opt to invest in an internal fund range, including distributor influenced funds if set up, and a 'Customised Selection' which allows investment in UK authorised unit trusts and investment trusts, OEICs and Sterling cash deposits. Clients can appoint one of a panel of Discretionary Investment Managers, or can appoint themselves as investment manager.

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