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Optimism on the economic recovery led by US retail data from March led most Asian stocks to gain slightly on Friday.

New data on US consumer credit from the Federal Reserve revealed a downturn in February and added to the downward pressure on the Asian stock markets on Thursday.

Global listed property securities provided good returns for investors in 2009 and markets rallied as the global economy responded to government stimulus measures.

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Last year saw remarkable stabilisation and recovery in equity markets which led the subsequent global economic revival.

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All eight funds in the IMA Asia Pacific including Japan sector delivered returns higher than 29% over one year according to Morningstar

Stock markets across Asia have rebounded strongly in 2009, outperforming the developed world, and the prospects continue to look encouraging.

Recent strong price gains across commodity markets, especially base metal equities, now urge caution to some degree.

The Asian hedge fund industry has changed dramatically in the last decade - from small players with limited means of hedging to a powerhouse offering a range of strategies