Asia

Since US shoppers have been forced to tighten their belts, the scouts are out for a new group of consumers to fill the global spending void.

Strong long-term growth trends underpin the investment case of Sri Lanka, Pakistan, Bangladesh and Vietnam. But the risks outweigh the benefits, writes Maria Merricks.

The Fidelity South East Asia fund manager warns share prices and currencies are pricing in a crisis scenario despite solid fundamentals.

ASIA'S NEXT BIG BUY

Asian markets as a whole will not begin to outperform until the European debt crisis is resolved, but consumer stocks in China will serve investors well, according to JO Hambro Capital Management's Paul Wimborne.

Asian indices responded to the move by Standard & Poor's to downgrade Italy by falling overnight.

London's leading share index has rebounded from yesterday's turbulent session, with investors finding value in depressed bank stocks.

Janus International has added an Asian equity fund to its Dublin-domiciled fund range, to be managed by recent hire Hiroshi Yoh.

ON ASIA

Rathbone's multi-manager David Coombs has upped exposure to index trackers and investment trusts as recent volatility moved them to more attractive valuations.