A number of European listed companies offer dividend yields above those of 10-year government bonds, alongside potential for capital growth.

The story of growth and reform in this risky market took a dramatic turn after events in 1998.
Now, Russia’s credit rating has risen and its oil and gas sectors look particularly appealing.

The Russian equity market has shown a stunning performance following the defaults of the bonds market in 1998. The Russian RTS Price Index skyrocketed from the low of 38 to nearly 500 by end of July 2003. Even in euros the performance adds up to a staggering 800 per cent. What are the prospects for Russia now, what do we expect from the equity market and how do we deal with it?

Funds of equity hedge funds combine efficient active management with levels of accountability professional investors have come to expect.
Of all asset classes, equities offer the greatest potential reward for active investment management, and the depth and diversity of equity markets provide limitless opportunities for differentiated performance.

They are best appreciated as a hedging and asset allocation tool, particularly for private client portfolios, but USFs have a much wider potential that can be incorporated into other products.

Private investors have tended to shy away from derivatives – they are best known as vehicles for leverage, lesser known for their use as an insurance policy against market downturns.