Multi-asset

Goldman Sachs Asset Management (GSAM)'s chairman Jim O'Neill outlines five encouraging signs from the global economy and asks whether 2013 will be the year investors ditch fixed income in favour of equities.

MULTI-MANAGERS

Schroders Private Bank has highlighted the three areas of the market it expects to outperform this year, pointing to Japan, UK property, and commodities as potential winners.

Private bank and wealth manager C. Hoare & Co has shifted its asset allocation focus from the US to Europe for 2013 ahead of an expected boost for the single currency.

Peter Webb, the manager of the two worst-performing funds of 2012, has described his frustrations in trying to sell many of the "illiquid" positions he inherited on the portfolios, and his hopes for a turnaround in performance this year.

The IMA expects to announce the results of its Absolute Return sector review by the end of February.

After a strong year for most asset markets in 2012, many commentators are pointing to a much leaner year in 2013.

Henderson Global Investors has hired James de Bunsen, former portfolio manager at Patrick Armstrong's investment firm, for its multi-asset team following Tony Lanning's departure.

We are increasingly hopeful of a pick up in global growth in 2013. Developments in the US should mean the next upswing will be more sustainable. The Fed has committed to maintaining loose monetary policy long into the upturn, even if this causes inflation...

Investors continue to weigh up the benefits of proactive central bank policy against the muted levels of economic growth from developed countries in a deleveraging world.