Global

Jonathan Pines, manager of the Hermes Asia ex Japan Equity fund, has named five stocks that helped him beat competitors in his peer group last year.

It is harder for equity managers to invest now than in the run up to the financial crisis, according to Bruce Stout, manager of the £1.3bn Murray International trust.

RUSSIA

Impending US employment data expected to show a further improvement in the country's economy sparked gains for equity indices around the globe overnight.

LATIN AMERICA

CHINA

ON ASIA PACIFIC EX JAPAN

Mohammed El-Erian, chief executive of PIMCO and the man perceived by many as Bill Gross' heir apparent at the largest bond manager in the world, has resigned from his role.

Robert Jukes and Edward Smith, global strategists at Canaccord Genuity Wealth Management, have listed five key investment themes for the new year.

Global equities