News Analysis

As pressure grows on banks to restart lending activities, buyers are warning the window of opportunity on private lending funds may soon be closing, writes Julia Rampen.

The BRICs have made something of a comeback this year following a 2013 many investors in the regions will want to forget, but which country now offers investors the best prospects?

Fund managers who made their names in rising emerging markets have endured a tougher time for much of the last year, but who has weathered the storm and come out on top?

Fund managers have backed financials, retailers, and housebuilders to benefit following the latest move down in UK inflation.

Many popular absolute return funds targeting low volatility are in danger of registering annual losses. What can managers do to turn around performance?

Aviva Investors has raised its annual forecast for returns from commercial property to 8.9% over the next five years, despite the threat interest rates may rise as early as this year.

Investors are again warming to Japanese equities due to cheap valuations, a shake-up in the domestic investment market, and rising inflation.

Andrew Swan, manager of the newly launched BlackRock Asia Special Situations fund, has rotated away from growth stocks in the view they are overpriced, turning to value companies instead.

Lazard manager Pat Ryan is optimistic on the prospects for Chinese banks despite a string of well-publicised problems, and has increased exposure to the sector within his Global Equity Income fund.

Thailand has been gripped by political unrest since November, with its stock market enduring a tumultuous ride over the last seven months, but which funds have maintained their overweights, and how have they fared?