European high yield bonds have remained popular in the first few months of the year despite yields declining by an average 5% during 2012 and the risk of default rising substantially, research from S&P Capital IQ shows.
Ireland and Luxembourg accounted for the majority of Ucits net sales in 2012, while inflows across Europe returned to positive territory on the back of strong demand.
One solution for Italy's economic/fiscal problems could mean pushing Italy closer to the edge of its own fiscal cliff so it finally recognises the need for action, says Chris Iggo.
A number of political leaders are in their second stint of power with others hoping to join them so Patrick Schotanus examines whether the pressures they saw first time around are abating or still a-biting.
The majority of investment professionals believe fund closures and consolidation across Europe will continue, according to research carried out by Cerulli Associates and The Platforum.
Exchange-traded products now hold more than $2trn in AUM with product and structural changes largely driven from the more mature US market. The pace of that change, argues Hector McNeill, is about to quicken up and be led instead by Europe.
UK investors purchasing securities in countries that have signed up to the financial transaction tax (FTT) will be subject to the charge, despite the UK not having signed up.
Johan Jooste gives his earnings-based argument for why he thinks cyclicals is the way to play US equities for growth in 2013.
Mario Draghi may have saved the euro back in July but Derry Pickford argues that a sense of crisis still pervades European politics.
The compression in eurozone bond spreads since ECB president Draghi’s pledge last July to “do whatever it takes to preserve the euro” suggests the worst may be over, as faith builds that the ECB will play its part in staving off sovereign default risk.
Johan Jooste explains how he marries his short-term, high beta investment views over the short term with the longer-term pitfalls he sees in certain fixed income markets.
Sales of European equity funds soared by 20% in the fourth quarter of 2012, with investors looking to benefit from depressed prices, while property fund sales dropped 22% in the same quarter.
