Japan

Marcus Brookes, head of multi-manager at Cazenove, is backing Europe over the US despite the region's problems.

F&C's co-head of multi-manager Gary Potter - a self confessed bear on Japan for many years - said the country is turning around for the first time in two decades.

The US' three major equity markets dropped overnight after a bomb blast at the Boston Marathon shook markets and weak data from China continued to weigh on stocks.

Andrew Wells, Fidelity's global CIO for fixed income, has said this year will be about the hunt for income, but warned low interest rates and low growth will be dangerous for investors.

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

FIVE THINGS

Global equity markets across the board have posted a strong start to the year, but there have been some clear winners in a quarter which saw many markets rise to multi-year or record highs.

SECTOR REPORT

MULTI-ASSET

FIVE THINGS