Lipper reviews global themes in mutual fund industry

The ratings and fund data provider says the reduced threat of further interest rate increases left a base rate of 4.75% - still low by historical standards - that increased interest in equities and property. GDP growth is forecast to slow down throug 2005, but still remain well above the growth rate of the eurozone, Lipper adds. The downside of this strong growth rate and rising interest rates through 2004 has been a strong pound against the dollar. UK firms were somewhat shielded because of the much greater amount of trade with the eurozone. Income funds did well for investors bec...