fixed income

The start of 2013 has brought some new year cheer to equity investors, with the FTSE 100 set to record its best January for decades as stock markets around the globe continue to rise.

Assets under management in the UK funds industry reached a record £658bn in 2012 and, although fixed income dominated overall sales, equities ended the year as the best-selling asset class.

Natixis Global Asset Management has launched its first offering under a newly set up OEIC umbrella, the Loomis Sayles Strategic Income fund, as part of the group's plans to make more funds available to the UK retail market.

PIMCO has made its global multi-sector bond strategy available to UK retail investors for the first time.

Fixed income remains popular with investors despite a very recent shift towards equities, but which bonds currently pose the greatest risk to investors?

Global equity markets have eased back from last week's highs despite European financials rallying after regulators softened proposed new rules.

Schroders has reached an agreement to acquire US investment grade fixed income manager STW Fixed Income Management.

SMART MONEY

The price of risky assets is approaching pre-crisis levels, with investors putting a greater degree of risk on the table in Q3 despite a weakening economic outlook, according to the Bank for International Settlements (BIS).

Fidelity's Ian Spreadbury has warned conditions in bond markets are the most risky he has seen since he started his career 30 years ago.