Analysis

Despite its recent GDP growth while the developed world succumbed to recession, India is not a straightforward growth story.

China is increasingly focused on greater alignment with her Eastern neighbours and the allure of Russia's resource-rich economy and the demise of US power have caused China to recalibrate foreign policy.

The current market is concerned inflation may pick up as a consequence of the policy decisions thus far taken in an attempt to stimulate the OECD economies.

In 2009, we felt quality Japanese companies were too cheap and as we start 2010 our view has changed very little.

Global equity markets appear to be in healthier shape.

On 6 March, the market realised if Citigroup could earn its way out of the capital hole created by caustic debt holdings, less troubled banks could also.

We believe 2010 will be another good year for corporate credit but we do not see the double-digit returns for UK investment grade corporates being repeated.

As its name suggests, the UK equity income sector provides exposure to companies that pay above-average dividends (the criteria for inclusion in the IMA UK equity income sector is a dividend yield of at least 110% of the FTSE All Share index yield).

Investor keenness in sector pushes prices up sharply but long-term case remains intact

Top five funds in IMA Strategic Bond sector all return above 4% over one year against an average of 23.1%