Analysis

Taking 2013 as a whole, emerging markets fell by 4.4% at a time when the MSCI Frontier Markets index rose by an impressive 23.6% (in sterling, net total return).

The most pressing issue for the remainder of the third quarter will be the Federal Reserve's objective of reinforcing its optimal control framework in the face of higher inflationary pressures.

The provision of supportive monetary conditions has fuelled a value rally, but now there are signs that higher quality companies with long-term secular growth potential are back in favour.

Inflation is Europe has become worryingly low, and the situation is reminiscent of Japan in the 1990s. Rathbones' Mona Shah explores whether the ECB's actions will be enough to prevent a downward spiral.

Vietnam and Romania are prime candidates for an upgrade to the coveted emerging market status, and could soon follow in the footsteps of the UAE. Charlemagne's Bokor-Ingram explains why.

The feeble French economy is causing pain for Europe's leading industrials, explains Richard Scrope from Oriel Asset Management.

Contrary to the concerns of some investors, US equities are not overvalued, says Hector Kilpatrick, from Cornelian Asset Management

There have been "stark changes" to investor behaviour recently, but beware over-confidence in the UK economy as tailwinds could soon turn to headwinds, warns Franklin Templeton's Colin Morton.

Investments in the healthcare sector have been on an upward climb in the last decade - but shares in drug companies are not the only way to play the sector. Kenneth Mackenzie from Target Advisers explains why the fundamentals for residential care stack...

Yields on blue chip equities are "staggering" and HSBC is glaringly good value, says Chris White from Premier Asset Management.