ECB

European equities have their attractions but the continent's economic position will disappoint investors for years to come, according to Carmignac Gestion's Frédéric Leroux.

ASSET ALLOCATION

The SWIP Absolute Return Bond fund received a significant boost in Q4 from exposure to the European periphery, such as Italy and Spain.

James Sullivan, co-manager of the Miton Special Situations and Strategic portfolios, warns investors not to get too carried away by the New Year optimism.

LIZARD RISK

Bob Doll, chief equity strategist at Nuveen Asset Management, has made ten predictions for 2013, warning the political process in Washington D.C. surrounding the fiscal cliff is the most immediate risk.

For the past 12 months and much of the past two years, two issues dominated investor mentality, at least when it comes to macro-related thinking: one is the US and the other is Europe.

FIXED INCOME

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...

The ECB has cut growth forecasts for next year as President Mario Draghi warned of a continued gloomy outlook for Europe in 2013.