UK

GOSLING'S GROUSE

The Office for Budget Responsibility (OBR) has downgraded its outlook for the UK economy.

Bob Jolly (pictured), head of global macro at Schroders, reviews a year in global bond markets and asks what themes could characterise the asset class in 2013.

Royal London Asset Management's Derek Mitchell (pictured) looks at what is driving global stocks, and asks if macro events are combining to create 'the perfect storm' in markets.

JOHCM's top performing income manager Clive Beagles outlines his favourite themes within UK domestic stocks, including 'self-help' stories such as ITV, as the economic recovery gathers pace.

Barclays is the most attractively valued UK bank, offering the best potential for growth if it restructures its investment banking division, according to J.P. Morgan Cazenove.

UK GDP growth for the third quarter of 2012 has been confirmed at 1% by the Office for National Statistics in its second official reading.

The state of banks' financial health remains "obscure" and means they should be avoided by investors for now, Liontrust's Jan Luthman has said.

The government is considering nationalising the 316 Royal Bank of Scotland (RBS) branches currently up for sale with a view to creating a new business lender, the Sunday Times reports.

RSM Tenon's financial management division has returned to a normal relationship with the FSA after a period of heightened supervision, it has reported.