Equities

Comes as sterling hits 2016 high against dollar

Consultation ended last month

Stock plummeted after failed drug trial

US dollar 20% overvalued

MSCI decided not to include A-shares in EM index

Changing economic environment

Manager and sales hires planned

In these testing times for the global economy, investors are looking for reassurance their dividends can, at the very least, be maintained, writes portfolio manager Mark Whitehead of the Securities Trust of Scotland (STS).

My guess is that the 'bored-o-meter' is currently flashing at extreme levels for the average UK equity investor.

Japan is out of favour, especially with foreign investors, and the market has sold down amid rising global macroeconomic concerns and volatility in returns. In particular, investors have shunned stocks where earnings are perceived to be cyclical or volatile...