Equities

The IMA has changed its Global Emerging Markets sector definition, which will now be based on FTSE or MSCI GEMs indices rather than World Bank definitions.

Standard & Poor's has threatened to cut Japan's government debt rating amid concerns the Government is failing to fix the nation's finances fast enough.

Franklin Templeton Investments is to open its offshore Emerging Markets Bond fund to UK retail investors for the first time.

The current market is concerned inflation may pick up as a consequence of the policy decisions thus far taken in an attempt to stimulate the OECD economies.

Last week's news that the Chinese economy continued to power through the global economic crisis, with growth of 10.7%, adds weight to those who argue for a greater weighting to the country and emerging markets in general.

In 2009, we felt quality Japanese companies were too cheap and as we start 2010 our view has changed very little.

On 6 March, the market realised if Citigroup could earn its way out of the capital hole created by caustic debt holdings, less troubled banks could also.

After a memorable 2009, when emerging markets rose like a phoenix from the ashes of the economic downturn, Templeton's Mark Mobius forecasts the year ahead for the sector and the opportunities that can be found in the Chinese year of the tiger

Legg Mason Equity Japan manager expects trend favouring domestic-oriented small-cap growth to continue

Investor keenness in sector pushes prices up sharply but long-term case remains intact