The Italian election looks set to result in a hung parliament as widely expected, but fund managers are concerned a strong showing by right-wing and populist parties poses a threat to eurozone stability.
In what was a dismal month for markets generally, the UK and European equities were the pits, making up the five worst performing Investment Association sectors for February. But have the asset classes lost their lustre?
The consensus forecast of no clear winner in this weekend’s Italian election coming true is the best short-term scenario for financial markets and the economy, according to industry experts.
China has been making all the headlines in recent weeks after it celebrated the Year of the Dog on 16 February. After such a strong year for Chinese investors in 2017, many headlines focused on the opportunities which lie ahead, but are there dangers that investors need to be aware of?
Legal systems designed to make extradition of criminals possible across borders could be open to abuse by those with financial disputes.
Provident Financial’s shares have sunk to their lowest point since 1996 as rumours swirled that the firm might include a £500m ($698.3m, €567.9m) rights issue in its annual results.
Standard Life Aberdeen hailed its decision to sell its insurance arm as “a major step” on the road to becoming a “world-class investment company”, but analysts suggest that Phoenix is the real winner here.
Bond, equity and mixed asset funds registered for sale in Hong Kong were up in double-digit percentages in 2017, capping a buoyant year for the special administrative region’s mutual fund industry, according to the December quarterly report from the Securities and Futures Commission.
Recent statistics from Eurostat showed that the European Union economy expanded at its fastest rate for 10 years in 2017, registering a 2.5% increase on the year before.
The emerging markets optimist is reportedly starting his own fund management firm and has also joined the investment committee of Mumbai-based venture capital firm Equanimity Investments, according to local media reports in India.
Global dividends reached a record high in 2017, boosted by a strengthening world economy and rising corporate confidence, according to Janus Henderson.
Discussing inflation and interest rates at a dinner party is a sure-fire way to lose friends. For investors fighting against the tide of today’s backdrop though, it’s a topic that simply isn’t being talked about enough.
