Japan

The FTSE 100 has opened lower this morning as investor confidence was dented by weaker Asian markets overnight and a flat US session on Monday.

Having recorded further heavy losses in early 2009 to reach a low point in March, share prices have rebounded strongly in recent months.

Japan's economy expanded 0.9% in the second quarter compared to the previous one, lifting hopes that it may be recovering after four quarters of contraction.

Contrary to popular opinion, the investment trust sector is not shrinking, but rather booming on the back of increasing specialisation

Recent years have not been kind to the Japanese stock market.

A substantial credit rally has materialised in recent weeks. The additional yield over government bonds of sterling credit (non gilts) illustrates a substantial spike higher during the thick of the financial crisis in 2008, but also a rally from March...

GLG's Japan CoreAlpha fund has been upgraded from an ‘A' to an ‘AA' rating by Old Broad Street Research.

The market lows of early March were followed by a swift turnaround in risk appetite, fuelling a sharp rally in equity and credit markets in April and May, ahead of some profit taking in June.

While it is too early to be confident in the timing of an economic recovery in Japan, there are at least some signs that the situation is improving significantly.

Global Bond managers nominated in last year's Fund Manager of the Year Awards continue to outperform despite tough sector conditions