Rosie Carr

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Today's IC daily email update.

Today's IC daily email update

European economies, still bed-bound in the intensive care ward, must be looking on enviously at America which since January has been back on the main ward. Now its doctors are suggesting it could even be discharged. There's no doubt that the US's vital signs have been looking increasingly strong which is providing grounds for hope that the world's biggest economy may now be capable of producing sustainable growth for some time to come. So we've run one of the ultimate stock screens on the S&P 500 to see what growth gems it turns up - Algy Hall explains all the criteria and assesses the companies which made it through the screen. Meanwhile the UK economy has a slightly rosy glow in its cheeks but Chris Dillow points out how the outlook really depends on the extent of corporate investment levels - and right now that's a big unknown. Elsewhere Leonora Walters explains why this time round, the resurrection of Japan is real after a long drawn out series of false dawns, along with an analysis of the risks and the best ways to gain exposure. Moira O'Neill outlines four ways to keep thousands in child benefit if you earn slightly over the £50,000 income threshold, and Robert Ansted delivers the latest findings from the Coppock indicators which incidentally have given a buy signal for Japan. We've also got the latest news on Nautilus Minerals, which is mining for copper and gold from the seafloor.

Investors seeking income have always tended to cling to the safety of home shores. That made sense given currency risk and tax complication concerns. In any case, dividends from emerging markets were non-existent. But the dividend landscape has changed considerably in recent years: with banks and BP exiting the club, investors have been forced to expand their horizons - just at the time when a sea change occurred in corporate thinking across emerging markets on the importance of dividend payments. Some estimates suggest that as much as a third of all global equities yielding more than 4 per cent now originate in Asia. Our columnist John Baron has been paying close attention to these new sources of income and has found two funds that allow him to capture fast-rising and fast flowing Asian dividends. One has a superb track record and the second has a yield of around 7.5 per cent. Elsewhere, also on the topic of income we report on Chesnara - now yielding a mouth watering 8.9 per cent. And for top funds, check out the 13 winners of our Fund Awards - we've judged them to offer the best performance, transparency and value for investors. We've also got the Trader's latest views, and press tips round up.

Nobody wants to lie awake at night worrying about whether the dividends on their shares are about to be cut. We've searched the FTSE 350 for rock solid companies with payouts so reliable you can just buy the shares and forget about them. I don't suppose the Chancellor has been suffering any sleepless nights this week over pasty-gate, following his decision to subject hot food sold in retail outlets to VAT. He might have done if he had taken a far more radical step, one which our property correspondent Stephen Wilmot argues has "clear and obvious logic, both economic and social". He suggests that George Osborne should radically reform Britain's illogical system of property taxes, by closing the CGT exemption on primary homes and by taxing home ownership. Do you agree? Read Stephen's argument and add your views. Elsewhere Mark Robinson reports on exploration developments in East Africa, Maike Currie reports on the risks that come with income drawdown, and reminds investors of Isa application deadlines. Julian Hofmann updates our view on AstraZeneca in light of the company's recent drifting while Mark Glowrey explains how the yield curve can be useful to bond investors.

We've been writing about oil a lot this week - from huge reservoirs trapped beneath thick layers of salt to the potentially game changing breakthough discovery in the South Falklands basin. In any sector prone to roller-coaster ups and downs - such as oil exploration - keeping on top of news flow and other developments is vital to minimise the risk of losses. Technology is another sector where things can go horribly wrong and an in-depth knowledge can make all the difference to your returns. Worried about their lack of understanding, and in spite of the potential for high returns, some investors make a point of avoiding risky and complicated sectors. But if you're looking for fast and sustained growth, technology companies have to be on your list. Our columnist Mr Bearbull is confident that in the tech sector he will find the strong long-term returns he's after. But what's the best way in? In an analysis of the three main ways to buy exposure, Mr Bearbull weighs up the pros and cons of each. Elsewhere Dominic Picarda explains why seasonal and cyclical factors remain in equities' favour for the month ahead and we report on two director deals - at Games Workshop and Mears - and update our views on those shares. Finally, Leonora Walters warns of the perils of relying on just one comparison site when you're shopping for a financial product and Mark Robinson explains why palm oil prices are rising and should continue to do so.

It's been three decades since Britain and Argentina went to war over the Falkland islands, but rancour still exists. Argentina's continued demands for sovereignty of the Falklands is linked to the black gold that lies beneath the area. There is indeed oil in the Falklands - but getting to it hasn't been easy. Desire Petroleum for example was left close to ruin following a series of drilling failures before its first discovery. Rockhopper Exploration of course made its significant Sea Lion discovery. Now attention is firmly focused on the South Falkland basin and investors are waiting for the results of technically challenged drilling in the area. A discovery here needs to be at least 100m barrels - but if it is, the whole Falklands oil story will burst into life again. In a special report on the Falklands, Martin Li puts current drilling campaigns into perspective, outlines the risks and identifies his favourite Falklands shares. Elsewhere Maike Currie discusses "high opportunity markets" with a fund manager who specialises in what he calls "cheap emerging markets about to undergo productivity growth, foreign direct investment and privatisation". Spot one of these, he says, and you're looking at an incredible wealth creator and a long term winner. Even better he's got one such market in mind - find out where it is in our story. We also look at what the sale of diamond interests by big business means for smaller diamond producers - please check our home page later today for this article.

Whatever type of investment you're seeking - a share with a good and rising yield or a small company that's growing fast or a fund that delivers consistent returns with no nasty shocks along the way - it's possible to find it, although doing so won't necessarily always be an easy task. Certainly finding an investment to navigate the current economic uncertainty is a challenge. Finance ministers around the world are still struggling to push economies back into a state of health, using a range of strategies, none of which so far appears to be delivering a quick, painless or lasting cure. And as Roger Bootle of Capital Economics points out it's worrying that even after gulping down a large dose of nasty medicine and accepting deflation, Ireland's economy is back in recession. So, for anyone for whom the slow pace of recovery and the dangers that lurk along the way is a pressing issue, we've found a top performing fund that still manages to be low risk while delivering a consistently good performance. And talking of weak economies, Chris Dillow compares the contrasting fortunes of the US and European economies and considers the question of whether austerity is right or wrong. Chris also contributes to our review of a reader portfolio - that of a young investor who's stuffed it full of funds. Has he got a few too many and is his portfolio pointlessly diversified? Elsewhere we've got the Trader's video report on the bullish cyclical and seasonal factors for gold right now, and John Hughman on PZ Cussons' troubles - issues which he highlighted a couple of months ago when he advised selling the shares.