Jupiter

Emerging markets managers have tipped Russia to soar ahead of its EM peers in 2012, driven by higher oil prices, weak valuations and Vladimir Putin's economic reforms.

In this Q&A Merlin manager and Jupiter CIO John Chatfeild-Roberts explains his thinking on financials and his fears over the impact of quantitative easing.

Jupiter Fund Management saw pre-tax profits jump in 2011 despite a fall in AUM, and has hiked its dividend by 13%.

The €1trn in cheap loans provided by the ECB since December is expected to be only the start of a wave of liquidity measures that store up problems for the eurozone.

Anthony Nutt and John Hamilton are to step down as co-managers of the £250m Jupiter Distribution fund after a decade of service as the group promotes two rising stars.

Marlborough's Giles Hargreave has reversed his notoriously bearish stance on equity markets for the first time since 2008, telling investors now is the time to be fully invested.

THE BIG QUESTION

As a tearful Vladimir Putin took the Russian presidency over the weekend amid allegations of vote-rigging, investors are concerned the win could trigger protests and market uncertainty.

A surge in protectionism driven by a persistently weak Chinese renminbi remains a wildcard for the global economy that should not be discounted, according to Jupiter CEO Edward Bonham Carter.

Jupiter CIO John Chatfeild-Roberts said he will not take punchy bets on risk assets while there is still the threat of a hard landing in China.