Equity market contagion is a familiar but often irrational phenomenon, which can be driven more by ill-defined fears than by sober analysis.

Amid the rise of unconstrained fixed income funds and index strategies, it is easy to forget benchmark-relative, active fixed income mutual funds remain popular with investors - and with good reason.

Digital health driving change

UK growth focus UK property prices, particularly in London, are back above their 2007 highs. This is important as it is primarily homeowners who drive the UK economy - over 50s own around 75% of the country's wealth.

Recent stock moves in the US could lead one to believe economic conditions have deteriorated substantially and the American economy is set for a severe setback.

Market volatility is back with a bang. Given the US equity correction, Chinese markets turning negative year-to-date, and ongoing oil price volatility, it would be easy to think everything that could go wrong has done so this year.

Argonaut CEO, Barry Norris, argues many funds within the IA Targeted Absolute Return sector are failing to deliver on both their risk/return and diversification aims.

Confusing the investor

Any decision on rates by the Federal Reserve this year could damage markets as the central bank's efforts have so far only resulted in lacklustre growth and 'bubble' asset prices, according to Jan Dehn, head of research at Ashmore.

Nick Sketch, senior investment director at Investec Wealth & Investment, looks at how some trusts with under or 'conservatively' valued assets could hold the best return opportunities.