Archive

Investors could be forgiven for wanting to put 2008 behind them, but are we likely to see any improvement next year? Our expert panel will dissect what’s in store for a variety of global markets and investment sectors in an attempt to find some light at the end of the tunnel.

The most difficult periods for ‘sexier’ sectors typically see Fixed Income funds nudge their way back into favour, attracting investors simply by being dependable. This Conjecture will analyse the market in fixed return products and reveal which sectors’ bonds are offering the best value.

With world equity markets suffering the effects of the banking crisis is there any corner of the world still delivering value, if so where and what are the long term prospects.

More and more investors are likely to turn to exchange-traded funds, looking for value in markets or commodities that are thriving in the face of falling western markets. But which funds - and which underpinning markets - are most likely to provide increasingly elusive returns?

Bear Stearns, Lehman Bros, Merrill Lynch, AIG, Northern Rock. These are the names keeping investors and fund managers awake at night. Combined with spiralling inflation and a record week of collapse and recovery on the markets, it's proving to be a real rollercoaster at the moment. But have we reached the end of this wild ride or will there be further thrills and spills in the coming weeks and mon... [read more]

As the UK, the US and other established markets face a challenging time, emerging markets will come to the fore to offer respite from the downturn. Several South American and Asian countries have seen dramatic growth over recent years, but will these economies continue to develop or will new markets begin to emerge?

With tiger economies such as Singapore, South Korea and Hong Kong complemented by an increasingly strong China and the rapidly developing Indian economy, there is potential for growth across the Asian region. But will Asia ex-Japan funds continue the dynamic growth that they have seen in recent years, and which countries are best equipped to maintain this performance?

With 'new' Europe growing rapidly and ‘old’ Europe working to reform, the economies of the Continent have been strong performers in recent years. But how is Europe placed in the face of a global economic slowdown? This Conjecture debate will look at how the European investment market is changing and which areas offer the best value.

Only strong absolute return fund sales prevented a net UK retail fund outflow in June. The funds’ stellar performance in the face of awkward market conditions has been a rare highlight in the UK investment landscape. But do you know your absolutes from your total and target return funds?

In times of volatility, equity investors turn to companies perceived to be more stable – and nothing says stability like being able to return capital to shareholders in the form of dividends. This Conjecture will analyse which sectors’ stocks are offering the best value and which countries promise most in the income field.

There is little doubt that the world economy is changing, with the rise of the ‘tiger’ economies in the east, and the dwindling dominance of the world’s only remaining superpower. However, after several years of booming growth in the world economy, there are signs that some economies are flagging, and that old word, recession, has reared its ugly head in the media. The UK Chancellor, Alist... [read more]

As emerging market economies such as China and Russia enter the mainstream, the hunt is on for their successors. There have recently been a number of fund launches in this space as fund managers see investment opportunities in under-analysed regions and companies. However, although the potential for investment in these countries is huge, what are the risks? We will be discovering which areas are p... [read more]

This is one of the best-selling sectors, according to the Investment Management Association (IMA), but in reality it’s a mixed bag of products – and performances, as its title suggests. This discussion will get to the bottom of what funds make up this sector and whether it is worthy of widespread consideration.

With research indicating that 50% of financial advisers plan to boost their multi-manager (MM) exposure in 2008, the future for these funds looks rosy. Of those planning to increase MM exposure, nearly half expect a 10-20% increase whilst one in five are predicting a 21-30% rise. What are the wider issues associated with using these broad investment vehicles and is managing expectations in the cur... [read more]

Europe remains a complex and, in many respects, disjointed fund management market. While the resurgence of some eastern European economies offers enormous potential for asset managers, and their clients, Europe is not yet a single market so problems remain. The implementation of Markets in Financial Instruments Directive in November last year has made things easier but, in truth, a lot of firms ... [read more]

The turbulence in global stock markets and plummeting equity values has forced investors to think carefully on where their money is best placed. While fixed income is often thought of as a safe haven, corporate bonds and gilts are seen by many as inappropriate in the current climate. Is fixed interest still the best play, or will investors find more value by holding currency or even pouring back i... [read more]

The uncertainty currently facing global markets should see absolute return funds enjoy continued popularity. But despite their declared ability to prosper irrespective of prevailing market conditions, any bear market will provide a stern test of this claim. This Conjecture will ask whether absolute return strategies work in all major markets and asset classes. And how will the diverse swathe of ab... [read more]

Structured products could be about to face their biggest test since rising to prominence just after the turn of the century. The vehicles became a hit thanks to their stated aim of providing returns irrespective of prevailing falling market conditions, but now, as global investment markets enter a period of uncertainty, Structured Products must deliver the returns they promise. The market has quic... [read more]

UK equities have not escaped the global volatility of recent months. The small and mid cap areas of the market have been particularly badly hit but there have been some nasty surprises in the large cap space too. UK equity funds are traditionally core holdings for UK IFAs but they now seem a far less attractive option. We will be asking whether it is all doom and gloom for the UK market at the mom... [read more]

The current commodity boom is showing no signs of slowing with some of the largest monthly gains in history recorded in the past few months. Demand in China and the emerging markets have pushed prices through the roof, with oil and gold recently hitting all-time highs. While investors in mining companies revel in the surge of M&A activity, consumers on the ground are struggling as food and energy ... [read more]

The continued boom in China and its potential for future growth have been well documented, but while China has dominated the headlines, several of the region’s other ‘tiger economies’ also have the potential to provide high rates of return to investors prepared to embrace higher levels of risk. Economies such as South Korea, Thailand and even India present plenty of opportunity for the infor... [read more]

It’s one of the busiest periods in the calendar for financial advisers – so which areas are likely to be this year’s biggest sellers? The debate will also take a look back at which funds proved to the best performers of last year and examine the main economic factors that are likely to influence investors’ decisions.

Analysts claim it’s one of the most unpredictable starts to a year seen in the last couple of decades so just how should we be feeling going into 2008? Which economies look strong? Which look weak? What are the biggest issues facing global investors at the moment and what evidence can we glean from the key economic indicators?

The term ‘emerging markets’ is used to describe a host of different areas but the real question is this: which of them will make investors money? The aim of this debate is to establish exactly which of these markets will perform the best over the coming year and which are best left alone.

This sector has been one of the biggest sellers in recent years due to the confusion in world markets – but what does the future hold? This debate will analyse the prospects for the Cautious Managed sector, have a look at the main funds in the area, and discuss the likely benefits/problems of having exposure.

Equity income funds may not have enjoyed the same press as the likes of small-cap growth or emerging market offerings in recent years, but that is certainly not the case any longer. With the markets taking a turn for the worse during the middle of last year, large-caps have come into favour, with investors increasingly looking at stocks which can still generate returns in the unstable current clim... [read more]

Surely every investor wants their portfolios to produce absolute returns – but what are the best ways to achieve this goal? Is it worth considering specialist absolute return funds or can investors enjoy similar results from putting their money into long-established funds?

For the past three to four years, bonds have been unpopular against a backdrop of surging equity markets, but as the credit crunch has brought a touch of uncertainty, many investors are looking to turn back to the security that bonds offer. Blue chip companies have started to return to the debt market and, while new issues look expensive, gains should be available for shrewd investors. So is now t... [read more]

The 130/30 phenomenon has certainly arrived, but are there compelling reasons to invest in the strategy? JP Morgan, UBS and Threadneedle all launched 130/30 funds to UK investors near the end of 2007, while many houses intend to do the same in 2008. Positive news from across the Atlantic is only adding to the clamour, so should investors get involved now, or wait to see results first? This debate ... [read more]

Can we look forward to bumper returns or will it be a rocky ride next year? This debate will consider which will be the best-performing asset classes; what's likely to happen to global stock markets and the outlook for key economic indicators such as interest rates.

The term ‘emerging markets’ is used to describe a host of different areas but the real question is this: which of them will make investors money? The aim of this debate is to establish exactly which of these markets will perform the best over the coming year and which are best left alone.

We’ve all read about the prospects for China and India, but surely this is a story that’s already been told? Is there really much prospect of the region delivering stellar returns going forward and, if so, in which countries should we be investing?

They have been the gems of the investment world, but for how much longer? Small-cap managers regularly boast about the sector’s long-term returns, but what are the prospects for the next 12 months? Are small companies better equipped to ride the storm? Will it out-perform the large-cap arena? Is it best to opt for UK small companies or are there better opportunities overseas?

Multi-asset funds are the latest craze to hit the world of investment but are they really suitable for everyone’s portfolios and can they honestly be relied upon to deliver decent returns regardless of the economic backdrop? This debate will look at the benefits of this style, analyse the relative merits of the specialist funds recently launched into this space and discuss the other ways of gett... [read more]

Having enjoyed an almost uninterrupted upward trend for the best part of four years, world stock markets have suddenly started to wobble on the back of the US sub-prime market’s collapse. But is the recent downturn anything more significant than a blip or will moves like the Fed’s decision to cut rates prove enough to paper over the cracks and keep the global economy booming? This debate will ... [read more]