Europe

Investors in Norway, the Netherlands, Switzerland, UK and Germany are less worried about pension provision than in other EU countries.

Investor demand has driven Standard Life Investments to resister some of its most successful SICAV funds in France, Belgium and Italy.

Active investment specialists RWC says the current economic environment for its new Cayman-domiciled European Focus Fund provides the perfect backdrop to work with stakeholders to achieve genuine alpha creation.

James Burns, head of the multi-manager desk at Smith & Williamson, said he sees investment opportunities in Europe, Japan and the United States (US).

European politicians have voted to reform the bonus structure of fund managers, a move which puts the UK at a "competitive disadvantage" and could damage shareholder value, according to PwC.

The Euro Group's new president has warned the UK could be facing a "new sterling crisis" as concerns grow over the state of public finances.

SOAPBOX

It has been a hectic year for investors, with the eurozone debacle driving core bond yields to record lows, while equity markets were buffeted by fears over China and the US.

Nouriel Roubini has warned the eurozone faces a 'depression' if policymakers do not relax tough austerity measures.

The eurozone has officially entered recession, the latest GDP data shows, as growth in core economies was offset by a surprisingly weak figure from the Netherlands.