UK EQUITIES

Worries over the state of China's shadow banking sector and overheating property market have contributed to disappointing performance from its equity markets this year. But China is cleaning up its act and some banks are 'unjustifiably cheap', argues...

China's slowing economy is providing headwinds for its neighbours. But some equity markets, such as Indonesia, the Philippines and Thailand, have still managed to steam ahead. T. Bailey's Peter Askew explains why.

The recent £23bn fine for Reynolds American could be a sign that tobacco sector is due to face another era of battling lawsuits. But if CEOs keep their houses in order, investors will stay hooked on tobacco stocks argues Miton's US manager Nick Ford....

Central banks' juggling act in trying to stimulate inflation but cool inflated asset prices is causing "schizophrenic" policy decisions in Europe. The trouble is, low inflation is necessary, argues Andrew Parry from Hermes.

Dividend growth has slowed in recent months, dragged down by FTSE heavyweights. But do not be fooled: some FTSE players are preparing for dividend increases, explains OMGI's Stephen Message.

As Western economies move closer to the inevitable monetary policy normalisation, nervousness is building. But the impact of these changes will be more muted than in previous cycles. Revera's Glen Nimmo explains why.

The steady eddie water utility stocks should have been casualties of the improving economy. But this sector has outperformed the All-Share so far this year. Rathbones' Alan Dobbie explores this 'intriguing' performance.

The new JPX-Nikkei 400 index launched in January as part of a package of measures aimed at increasing the value of Japanese financial assets. But can it help maintain the revival in the region? Annabelle Williams reports.

Following a bumper season for special dividends, capex growth has picked up substantially. The era of special dividends could be drawing to a close, explains AXA IM's Jamie Forbes-Wilson.