Analysis

China's slowing economy is providing headwinds for its neighbours. But some equity markets, such as Indonesia, the Philippines and Thailand, have still managed to steam ahead. T. Bailey's Peter Askew explains why.

The recent £23bn fine for Reynolds American could be a sign that tobacco sector is due to face another era of battling lawsuits. But if CEOs keep their houses in order, investors will stay hooked on tobacco stocks argues Miton's US manager Nick Ford....

Central banks' juggling act in trying to stimulate inflation but cool inflated asset prices is causing "schizophrenic" policy decisions in Europe. The trouble is, low inflation is necessary, argues Andrew Parry from Hermes.

Dividend growth has slowed in recent months, dragged down by FTSE heavyweights. But do not be fooled: some FTSE players are preparing for dividend increases, explains OMGI's Stephen Message.

As Western economies move closer to the inevitable monetary policy normalisation, nervousness is building. But the impact of these changes will be more muted than in previous cycles. Revera's Glen Nimmo explains why.

Portugal's €5bn bail-out of Banco Espirito Santo is an idiosyncratic event and Europe is still home to some quality banks, explains Carmignac Gestion's Jean Medecin.

Investors are needing continual confirmation of their convictions in order to stay invested, and this is having an impact on emerging market indices, explains Nick Henderson from Skagen Funds.

There is a worrying level of calmness in markets at a time when risk levels across the board are rising. Investors should be upping cash now, argues M&G UK Growth manager Mike Felton.

The UK economy appears to be in rude health. In May, the Bank of England upgraded its growth forecasts for 2015 to 2.9%, from 2.7%, saying that the economy "has started to head back towards normal". It left its growth prediction for this year unchanged...

The steady eddie water utility stocks should have been casualties of the improving economy. But this sector has outperformed the All-Share so far this year. Rathbones' Alan Dobbie explores this 'intriguing' performance.