Japan

With interest rates in the UK at a historic low, investors have been looking for income strategies to boost the yields of their portfolios.

GLOBAL

EUROPE

BONDS

The Nikkei tumbled 3% on Friday to touch its lowest level for almost three weeks as the yen strengthened against the dollar.

Disappointing Chinese manufacturing data has sent Asian equities into reverse and raised further questions over extent of the country's economic slowdown.

Fidelity's Trevor Greetham, who heads up the firm's tactical asset allocation team, has cautioned returns on emerging market equities will continue to disappoint as US monetary policy normalises.

Shinzo Abe's weekend election victory means Japan is set to enjoy the implementation of a 'Super-Abenomics' strategy which could surprise investors, according to strategists.

ON JAPAN

Japanese investors have reacted with muted enthusiasm to a sweeping election victory by Shinzo Abe's Liberal Democratic Party.