Recession

Henderson chief economist Simon Ward questions whether monetary tightening and fiscal cutbacks could send the global economy into a ‘double dip' recession.

BlackRock veteran Bob Doll predicts the US stock market could achieve annualised returns of 8% over the next decade.

Investment guru Jim Rogers believes another recession will be due in about 2012, but the difference next time will be the inability of central banks to throw cash at the problem.

Robert Shiller, architect of the famous Shiller P/E ratio and co-developer of the Standard and Poor's S&P/Case-Shiller home price index, says there is a 50% likelihood of a US double dip.

Renowned investor Anthony Bolton has predicted a further phase to the bull market on expectations Western economies will avoid a double dip recession.

Barclays Wealth chief economist Michael Dicks believes the UK faces a one in three chance of entering a "double-dip" recession next year.

ASSET ALLOCATION

The UK economy emerged from its 18-month recession at a faster pace than expected, figures released by the Office for National Statistics (ONS) show.

A key estimate of UK GDP suggests output increased in the three months ending in January, but indications of a more substantial recovery are still wide of the mark, according to the National Institute of Economic and Social Research.

China's approval of a ground breaking $586bn stimulus package was a clear sign of the country's avowed commitment to build a ‘harmonious society' that balances the need to maintain economic growth while protecting the environment and society