Japan

Small- and mid-caps overlooked

In Asia, there is a tradition of naming the year after one of the 12 animals of the Chinese zodiac - 2016 is the year of the monkey.

The Bank of Japan has cut interest rates to -0.1% as policymakers try to keep their economic plans intact in the face of global headwinds.

Japan's equity markets topped performance charts last year, despite ongoing concerns about the effectiveness of Abenomics and the impact of China's slowdown.

Japan remains a cyclical market due to its large exposure to global manufacturing sectors relative to other major markets, as well as relative to its own economy.

Equity markets across the globe have staged a come-back after falling into a bear market earlier this week, boosted by hopes of further stimulus measures from the ECB and a 6% rise in oil prices.

FTSE 100 dipped below 5,685 points

With growth low but erratic and inflation well below the Bank of Japan's target rate of 2%, the achievements of Abenomics are looking distinctly limited.

Investors had to negotiate challenging times in 2015, but which sectors were the ones to back, and where was best avoided?

Trading on China's Shanghai Composite index was halted in the first session of 2016 after shares plunged 7%.