Global equity income Q&A

With sentiment towards equities having taken a turn for the worse in recent weeks, Giles Parkinson considers where markets may be heading and what action, if any, investors should take.

Global shares suffered their first monthly decline in over a year as the prospect of looser US fiscal policy weighed on bond markets amid concern US interest rates will rise faster as inflation creeps up.

This latest episode of the AIQ Podcast investigates the battle for innovation between China and the West.

Even when taking account of currency movements and varying economic growth in both countries, US equities have comprehensively outpaced equities on this side of the Atlantic. Giles Parkinson discusses the US stock market’s outperformance.

Diversification has fallen out of favour in UK boardrooms over recent decades. The recent trend towards making existing assets work even harder could be a better approach, says Trevor Green.

A new pilot scheme could give investors greater access to China’s vast equity market. But the project may also affect the performance of existing Hong Kong-listed shares, says Will Ballard.

Global equities raced to fresh record highs in January, with the rally led by the all-important US market, as optimism over the outlook for both the global economy and corporate earnings mounted.

Richard Saldanha discusses the outlook for global equities.

The rise of the newly-affluent millennial generation is disrupting traditional industries in emerging markets – and bringing new risks and opportunities for investors.

Our equities fund managers give their thoughts on what investors should look out for in the coming year.

Global equities ended 2017 at record highs, partly on the back of US tax cuts signed into law late last year, but also on optimism over the outlook for economic growth and corporate earnings in 2018.

By electing Cyril Ramaphosa as its new leader, the African National Congress has shown it is ready for change – but Jacob Zuma could be an obstacle to progress, says Bryony Deuchars.