Consumer spending rise hints at mending Japanese economy

Star Japan manager Ed Merner of Atlantis sees rising consumer spending as evidence the equity market and economy are truly on the mend. Merner, who left Schroders 10 years ago to set up the Japan desk at Atlantis, is convinced small and mid cap stocks are the best way to get exposure to the world's second largest economy. As evidence of this he cites the performance of the offshore Atlantis Japan Opportunities fund launched in October 2003 and run by his colleague Taeko Setaishi. It has produced an annualised return since inception of 37.54% compared to the Topix's 13.96% and the TSE2's...