This week's articles: 19 December 2014

All the articles published in this week's magazine in one place

December 19, 2014

FEATURES

Welcome to our special bumper end of year double issue in which we provide analysis of markets and asset classes for the year ahead, along with a quiz to test your knowledge of the stock market in 2014, with the chance to win champagne.

Sweet Investments for 2015

A year in charts

Eight graphs that tell the story of 2014

UK Equities: All about yield

After a dull 2014 UK equities remain the least attractive asset class – except for all of the others, says Stephen Wilmot

The economy in 2015

Economists expect steady growth and rising inflation in 2015. But forecasts tend to be wrong. Chris Dillow reports.

US recovery gaining momentum

Despite the machinations of America’s political elite, John Adams believes the US economic recovery is gathering pace and optimism reigns for the equity outlook.

Europe’s plight worsens…but that’s good

Economic conditions in Europe are so bad, and sentiment so weak, that the investment risk looks skewed to the upside, as hard as that may seem right now. Simon Thompson reports.

Still expecting the best from Japan

Despite trying economic conditions, investors and analysts are optimistic on the prospects for Japanese equities. Leonora Walters reports.

Emerging Markets: Don’t panic

It’s a fact of investment life that emerging markets will be volatile. Stay calm and favour Asian markets, says Philip Ryland.

2015: What the fund managers expect

Moira O’Neill and Leonora Walters ask fund managers to set out their concerns and expectations for the year ahead.

Small cap struggles mask potential

Small cap indices were hammered in 2014, but canny stock pickers could still have made hay, says Graeme Davies.

Fireworks to set markets alight

The launch of full-blown quantitative easing by the European Central Bank has ramifications for a host of financial markets. Expect fireworks in Japan too, says Simon Thompson.

Beginner’s luck

At home and abroad, 2014 marked a strong year for new admissions and M&A activity. And there are signs that the positive trends should continue in 2015, despite growing economic uncertainty. Mark Robinson reports.

Bond rewards for the brave

Corporate and sovereign bonds have seen alarming gyrations this year. Investors need to look at their strategy to make fixed income profits in 2015. Julian Hofman reports.

Greed gives way to fear

Investors in natural resources stocks have endured a torrid time through 2014, but it may pay to take a counterintuitive view of commodity markets in coming months, argues Mark Robinson.

Property bandwagon rolls on

As commercial property values and rents look set to rise further, Jonas Crosland believes the housing shortage will underpin housebuilders.

Countdown to pension freedom day

From April 2015 pension investors will have total income flexibility. Moira O’Neill explores the consequences.

What’s in store for the markets in 2015

Emma Powell brings you a round up of where the industry thinks the FTSE100 might end up in 2015, as well as a few outrageous predictions thrown in for good measure.

Quiz of the year

How much do you remember about the big financial stories in 2014? Put your knowledge to the test for a chance to win a case of Laurent-Perrier Cuvee Rose champagne.

SEVEN DAYS

Our take on the biggest business stories of the past week

NEWS

BT zeroes in on EE

Russia reels

London remedy for pharma

Water utilities gain dividend clarity

News Spotlight – Banks return to health

Economic outlook – The coming recession, Next week’s economics

COMMENT

The Editor – Drive carefully

Simon Thompson – Platforms for growth