Equities

ON NORTH AMERICA

Standard & Poor's downgrade of Ireland's credit rating was "inevitable", and other ratings agencies are likely to follow suit, says Schroders.

The FTSE advanced in early trading following positive overnight signs in the US and a mini rally in Asia.

THE ALCHEMIST

FRONTIER MARKETS

SVM's Hugh Cuthbert has more than doubled his exposure to banks in his Continental European fund this year as the sector has proved resilient in the face of regulatory threats.

Blue-chip stocks listed in the developed world could soon become a strategic part of emerging market portfolios, according to managers.

America's largest stock markets reported very light trading volumes on Monday as a flurry of M&A did little to reassure investors of the strength of the global recovery.

During our meetings with clients and prospects in mid-June, we expressed the view that the spring market correction - driven mainly by global macro concerns - would shift to a more positive tone as the US earnings reporting season for the second quarter...

Worse-than-expected economic data from the US last week reignited fears of a double-dip recession, but managers are cautiously optimistic the economy will remain supportive of global growth.