Bubbles are a wondrous affair and, according to the aficionados, easy to spot from afar.

After some uncertain times, the newsflow is getting more positive and the tables appear to be turning. Have we really come through the banking crisis unscathed or is there more bad news in the post?

There is little doubt the tide is turning for one of the most unloved regions. Investor sentiment towards Europe in July, as measured by the Bank of America Merrill Lynch fund manager survey, was at its lowest level since 2003.

Japan's economy expanded 0.9% in the second quarter compared to the previous one, lifting hopes that it may be recovering after four quarters of contraction.

On a local currency basis, the FTSE World Europe ex UK Total Return Index has outperformed the S&P 500 Total Return Index since the March 2009 lows, reflecting the fact that European markets tend to be more sensitive to global growth.

Just back from holiday - very nice, thanks for asking! But is it ever possible to turn off from this industry of ours?

The announcement Daniel Godfrey is stepping down as director general of the Association of Investment Companies after 11 years at the helm is an appropriate time to focus on the performance of one of the main trade bodies representing the asset management...

Emerging market currencies have rallied strongly after a rough opening to the year. Globalisation, the structural driver for the asset class, continues.

We believe there is a strong strategic case for choosing to invest in commodities. Over the next 15-20 years, we expect demand for the world's natural resources to grow at a rapid pace.

All 14 vehicles in European peer group hit double-digit returns over the past six months, bouncing back from a difficult 2008