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At the start of 2009 markets were in freefall, there were concerns about financial and economic meltdown and the last place you wanted exposure to was smaller companies with their higher risk and greater exposure to the domestic economy.

As the debate between passive vs active investing continues to divide opinion, a fine balance exists between the two, wherein it is possible to get a passive underlay with an active overlay. In such precarious times, balance is everything

As its name suggests, the UK equity income sector provides exposure to companies that pay above-average dividends (the criteria for inclusion in the IMA UK equity income sector is a dividend yield of at least 110% of the FTSE All Share index yield).

Trends in the UK equity market can determine how to construct a portfolio with the best yield

UK pharmaceuticals rose in early trading after speculation mounted President Barrack Obama's healthcare reforms could be thwarted by the Republicans.

The case for investing in emerging market equities as part of a diversified global portfolio remains compelling

Low quality cyclical rally proves a struggle for UK equity income funds

For investment trusts, 2009 has not been without its excitement. Volatile discounts have made life very difficult; the flight to quality was swiftly followed by the dash to trash as investors switched to more exotic investments

Top 10 groups in sector gained at least 56% over past 12 months, with more than half seeing gains of 30% or more

Even after nearly twenty years in the business, BlackRock's Mark Lyttleton still retains a fervent enthusiasm for beating the market which continues to drive stellar performance