The central issue for Japan's sovereign credit rating remains the developing and implementing of a credible fiscal strategy to stabilise government debt over the medium term, Fitch Ratings says.

Global investors have entered 2013 in buoyant but not yet exuberant mood, according to the BofA Merrill Lynch Fund Manager Survey for January. The new year sees asset allocators assigning more funds to equities than at any time since February 2011, while their confidence in the world's economic outlook has reached its most positive level since April 2010.

Dr. Ansgar Tietmeyer (45) is to take over as Head of Deutsche Bank's Public Affairs department in Berlin on 1 February 2013. On behalf of the Management Board, he will cultivate Deutsche Bank's relationships with ministries, authorities, political parties and members of parliament as well as coordinate relations within the bank.

Swiss Re Capital Markets has successfully structured and placed USD 270 million of notes issued by Lakeside Re III Ltd., covering North American earthquake risk on behalf of Zurich Insurance Group ("Zurich").

Egypt's new exchange rate regime has brought greater transparency and a depreciation of the pound but also highlights a serious shortage of foreign exchange, Fitch Ratings says. For the system to work, confidence needs to be restored quickly, starting with agreement on an IMF programme.