Government bonds

This week has seen further volatile moves in markets - particularly within fixed income as investors unwind positions in government and emerging debt - while Chinese equities also hit the headlines on fears of a slowdown in the country.

Bill Gross, the manager of the world's largest bond fund, has told investors selling treasuries they could be left disappointed if they overestimate the speed with which the Fed will wrap up QE.

It is "inevitable" Italy will need an EU bailout in the next six months, according to analysts at the country's second largest bank.

Enzo Puntillo, head of fixed income at Swiss & Global Asset Management, moved out of 30-year treasuries last month in his Julius Baer Total Return Bond fund as market fears grew about the possible tapering of the Federal Reserve's QE programme.

The Bank of England's Andrew Haldane has said a possible sharp rise in bond yields represents the biggest risk for financial markets at present.

A sign that the great sell-off in bonds could be imminent was seen this week after yields on Treasury Inflation Protected Securities (Tips) turned positive.

Concerns over a potential end to US quantitative easing saw global fixed income markets slump in May, but further sudden sell-offs may be less likely.

Veteran investor Warren Buffett has told investors Ben Bernanke's interest rate policy has been "brutal" for holders of bonds and punishing to savers.

Bill Gross, the manager of the world's largest bond fund, said Chancellor George Osborne needs to ditch austerity and 'spend money' if the UK is to emerge from its current economic malaise.

Emerging market sovereign bonds have become overpriced following a surge in inflows as investors hunted for higher yields, City Financial's head of multi-asset Mark Harris has said.