Government bonds

Old Mutual Asset Managers' head of fixed income Stewart Cowley has predicted a sterling crisis could unfold if the coalition government relaxes its austerity drive.

With equity markets more volatile than ever, and safe havens around the world looking vulnerable to a correction, investors have more things than ever to fret over as they try to steer portfolios through the turmoil.

Kames Capital's Stephen Snowden has urged investors not to ditch corporate bonds over fears they will be harmed by inflationary pressures brought about by global central banks printing money.

BlackRock's iShares has launched the first ETF to offer exposure to global AAA and AA rated government bond exposure.

The manager of the world's largest bond fund has pointed to the US, UK, Spain, France, Japan and Greece as serial debt addicts whose government borrowing is spiralling out of control.

Investors attracted to Japanese government bonds (JGBs) should think twice before buying because of the risk of price deterioration in the coming years, warns the Stonehage Group.

MAM Funds' Martin Gray is eyeing developed market government bonds with a view to reinvesting in the asset class, after taking profits over the summer.

China should attack the Japanese bond markets and cause a full-scale funding crisis, unless the latter nation reverses a decision to nationalise the Senkaku/Diaoyu islands, a senior advisor to the Chinese government said.

PIMCO's Bill Gross, the manager of the world's biggest bond fund, has cut his stake in US Treasuries by 12%, ahead of a crucial meeting by the Fed later when it may announce further quantitative easing.

J.P. Morgan Asset Management's Nick Gartside bought Spanish 10 year debt as the ECB's bond buying plan, announced last week, means he now knows "the rules of the game".