Eurozone: from Crisis to Stasis

The Eurozone crisis has been a case study of how far disconnected politics can become from financial markets. Banking union, greater fiscal coordination and the European Central Bank (ECB) operating as a lender of last resort are policy prescriptions that have been widely called for by market participants ... press to read more

BNY Mellon Economic Update - September 2012

The global growth recession continues but we believe that the global economic slowdown probably reached its weakest point in the third quarter of 2012. We continue to expect global economic growth to be about 3% on the IMF definition in 2012, followed by a modest acceleration in 2013. While the global economy is currently weak and fiscal policy has been consolidating in some key countries, global monetary policy remains quite stimulative and financial conditions are easy in many parts of the world. These easy financial conditions should result, with a lag, in less economic weakness over the coming quarters. We assume that there will not be a major disruption of the flow of oil out of the Middle East. If there were a limited disruption, there should be some ability to shift to alternative sources of energy, given substantial strategic oil reserves and ample supplies of coal worldwide and natural gas in the U.S.

A Case for Global Equities: Stock Picking in a World of Uncertainty

Investors looking to protect their savings and/or generate a return on them have to make investment decisions in an environment increasingly dominated by significant and potentially destabilising economic issues. The Eurozone crisis is the most obvious example but the instability of financial institutions, economic slowdown in China, wider sovereign debt issues and political stalemate in the USA are all additional concerns occupying headlines in the investment community.

Investing at an early stage is the key to meet any future long-term goals

The VFM Monthly Investment Plan provide investors with an excellent way to start planning for their future. Investing at an early stage is the key to meet any future long-term goals and best results are achieved if investors' contribute on a regular basis.

The potential of accessing the local equity market through one harmonized portfolio

When times are hard the quality of a judicious investment becomes more important. Antoine Briffa, Head of Institutional Investment Management Services, within Bank of Valletta p.l.c. (BOV), the Advisor to Valletta Fund Management Limited (VFM) in relation to the range of funds investing in the local capital market, comments on the opportunities of investing in the Maltese market through one diversified and harmonised portfolio

Market Insights - December 2010

The Fed’s adoption of additional quantitative easing (QE2) provides insurance against a US recession but raises additional stresses. This is especially the case in the currency arena where the threat of competitive devaluation raises political pressures with uncertain consequences. Renewed sovereign debt concerns in the European periphery complicate matters further but the recovery remains on track for now.

Market Insights - November 2010

Central banks in the US and the UK appear to be moving closer to another round of quantitative easing, which has boosted risk assets. The irony in the rally is that this additional support would not have
been forthcoming were the recovery more secure. High levels of uncertainty continue to highlight the importance of tactical asset allocation in portfolio construction and the attraction of strategies which have a greater likelihood of delivering repeatable performance.

Interview with  Peter Bentley, Fund Manager – La Valette Sterling Income Fund, Insight Investment Management (Global) Limited

In the current environment Insight Investment Management (Global) Limited believes there are compelling reasons why investors should consider an investment in UK corporate bonds

Market Insights - October 2010

Recent economic data have helped to calm fears of an imminent return to recession. With economic growth weaker than in past recoveries, and central banks in the US and the UK leaning towards further quantitative easing, both government bonds and equities have performed well. High levels of uncertainty point to the importance of tactical asset allocation in portfolio construction.