Fixed income markets have faced some pressures lately, as investors fret about less accommodative monetary conditions going forward. In addition, higher energy prices have fuelled bond yields, as both OPEC members and Russia...

According to Richard Turnill, BlackRock's Global Chief Investment Strategist, we live in a world of low prospective returns, as reflected in our latest five-year return outlook. We have lowered our return assumptions across most asset classes due to increased valuations, but we see opportunities in many risk assets.

Interest in emerging market (EM) assets is returning. With yields in developed bond markets almost non-existent, emerging debt looks particularly attractive. Paul McNamara, investment director for emerging market debt at GAM, explains why he still sees plenty of upside, despite a strong run so far this year.

For investors seeking meaningful diversification of their portfolios, alternative beta strategies (sometimes called liquid risk premia) have low or no market beta and, if executed correctly, have low correlations to the major asset classes.

The old phrase that ‘no news is good news' has been working its magic in the markets lately – but it may be the calm before the storm, says Robeco's Lukas Daalder.