Markets

Panic about house prices, asset bubbles and China caught our readers' attention this year, with the views of leading hedgies and controversial industry figures featuring in our list of the 20 most read stories of 2012.

For months now, in the build-up to the end of year RDR deadline, fund providers have been anxious to tap into adviser and client demand for risk-rated, multi-asset portfolios.

The Financial Services Authority is considering major making 'radical changes' to its approved persons regime, according to a report in the Sunday Telegraph.

Business secretary Vince Cable has said the UK could see a triple-dip recession, and event a Japan-style 'lost decade' of zero growth.

Equity markets have been given a boost by the latest monthly jobs figures from the US which show a further fall in the unemployment rate in November.

China will be the most attractive emerging market in the next six to 12 months, according to Conrad Saldanha of Neuberger Berman.

The Bank of England has held the base interest rate at 0.5%.

Robin Geffen, CEO of Neptune Investment Management, has warned bond investors should be bracing themselves for severe losses when the interest rate cycle turns.

GLG Partners is to reopen the top-performing Japan CoreAlpha fund range, run by Stephen Harker (pictured), Neil Edwards and Jeffrey Atherton.

UK-listed Standard Chartered has said it is close to agreeing a further $330m charge with US regulators to settle accusations it failed to comply with sanctions against Iran.