High net worth individuals appear to have finally overcome their fear of banking stocks, but allocations to the financial sector are very selective with US groups much more appealing than their European counterparts

Recent falls in Japanese equities have shaken some private bankers’ faith in the ability of Prime Minister Shinzo Abe to fix the structural problems that plague his country

Fixed income can still play a vital role in client portfolios when combined with other asset classes, but to get the most out of bonds any exposure must be managed in an active manner

The Brazilian stockmarket has endured a torrid time of late, but the economy has good long-term growth prospects

Commodity-related funds may have been suffering of late but Martin Currie’s Duncan Goodwin has found success running the Global Resources fund by diversifying across a wide range of sectors and focusing on company strategy and management rather than the index

In historical terms, corporate bond yields are at record lows, but with returns from cash and sovereign debt even lower the asset class continues to attract investors

While worries over the global economy persist, meaning allocations to cash and fixed income continue, wealthy Asian investors are looking for yield in some selective local and international markets

Private wealth managers are once again turning to structured products in order to boost yield and provide access to equity markets, while offering some downside protection