M&G

CONTRARIAN

Fidelity Worldwide Investment's group chief investment officer has warned the European Financial Stability Facility (EFSF) is next in line to be downgraded by ratings agencies.

The decision by Standard and Poor's to strip France of its prized AAA-rating came as no surprise to a number of fund managers.

First State's Martin Lau has beaten stars including Invesco Perpetual's Neil Woodford and Neptune's Robin Geffen to see his Greater China Growth fund ranked the most consistent performer over the three years to the end of 2011.

As Brazil overtakes the UK as the world's sixth largest economy, Maria Merricks looks at the key drivers behind its investment potential.

As income-producing stocks struggle to make total returns, Steven Andrew uses his fund's ability to invest in bonds to outperform his peers.

Continued pressures on the eurozone and an environment of falling inflation will prompt the ECB to lower interest rates from 1% to 0.5% this year, according to M&G's Stefan Isaacs.

EURO BONDS

The IMA has re-launched its Managed sectors with new names and definitions, apart from the Mixed Investment 0-35% Shares sector which has been delayed.

M&G Investments is set to launch a global equity fund for David Williams next month as part of an ongoing move to merge parent Prudential's retail offerings into its fund range.