Japan

Regardless of market conditions, active management in the Japanese small-cap market is still able to provide a better return with less volatility when compared to Japanese equity market as a whole.

While IMF global growth forecasts may have finally steadied after five consecutive semi-annual cuts, it is not to say that the global economy has stabilised and is set to normalise once again.

High-conviction/low-turnover proposition

Sluggish growth and weak domestic spending

At the end of October, the Tokyo Stock Exchange and Nikkei announced they are to launch a new index - the JPX-Nikkei Mid and Small Cap Index - in early 2017.

Corporates have the 'firepower' to increase dividends

Fed rate hike would strengthen dollar vs the yen

'Shock Trump victory would lead to discounts widening'

Japanese equities have earned themselves a reputation over the years as the market everyone loves to hate, writes Trevor Greetham, head of multi-asset, at Royal London Asset Management.