quantitative-easing

Economist and renowned commentator on Japan, Arcus Investment's Peter Tasker, said in the last 20 years the country has been through the most severe and prolonged bear market ever seen.

The Japanese government has approved a fresh 10.3 trillion yen ($116bn; £72bn) stimulus package to shore up its flagging economy.

SHOULD YOU BE WORRIED ABOUT INFLATION?

The US Federal Reserve has expanded the scope of its quantitative easing programme and suggested interest rates will not rise until US unemployment falls below 6.5%.

The minutes of the last Monetary Policy Committee meeting held on 7 and 8 November reveal David Miles was the only member calling for a boost to the Bank of England's quantitative easing programme.

The Bank of England's increasingly unconventional policies could see it cut interest rates further, according to Threadneedle head of multi-asset Toby Nangle.

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.

Experts have questioned how effective the latest round of quantitative easing (QE) in the US will be, with the chances of success "finely balanced".

The Federal Reserve has unleashed a third round of quantitative easing to support the US economy following a wave of poor data and a weakening labour market.

Robin McDonald, co-head of the multi-manager range at Cazenove, has said investors should not hold out for further stimulus from the Federal Reserve as he believes it has ceased its policy to weaken the US dollar.