1. Reality Check: Let's Talk About Questionable Beliefs, Along With Q1 World Markets
(Matching tags: global investing,style classification,active management,asset management,world economy,stocks)

“There are many sides to reality. Choose the one that's best for you.” Eugene Ionesco, Rhinoceros   I write a quarterly market commentary, and have decided to do something special ...

2. Growth, Valuation Continue To Make Emerging Markets A Favored Investment Opportunity
(Matching tags: emerging markets,stocks,world economy)

A 20% drop in valuation levels late last year has left emerging-market equities at attractive prices compared with other equity classes.

3. Mild Recession Is Predicted For Euro Region, With Modest Growth Resuming Later This Year
(Matching tags: European zone,world economy)

The European Commission forecasts a stagnating European Union economy in 2012, but the second half of the year looks better than the first.

4. China’s Growth Will Slow More Than Expected This Year, GE Executive Says
(Matching tags: China,world economy)

General Electric Co. believes China's economy will slow this year slightly more than the company originally forecast.

5. Europe’s Economy Contracted In The Fourth Quarter But Held Up Better Than Expected
(Matching tags: European zone,world economy)

Gross domestic product fell 0.3% in the 17-nation European zone in the fourth quarter, the first contraction since the second quarter of 2009.

6. Long-Term Inlation Outlook Is Benign, Says Fidelity Portfolio Manager, As Deleveraging Checks Economic Growth
(Matching tags: Economic Outlook,interest rates,inflation,U.S. economy,world economy)

Inflation peaked in the United States at 3.9% in September 2011 and has fallen to the 3% level since.  

7. Greece Passes Austerity Measures But Will They Hold Up Against Rioters And Upcoming Election?
(Matching tags: European zone,world economy)

The Greek parliament agreed Sunday to impose wage and pension cuts and other austerity measures in order to receive aid from the European Union and the International Monetary Fund.

8. China Leads New Ranking Of The Most Promising Emerging And Frontier Markets
(Matching tags: emerging markets,China,world economy,Economic Outlook)

China, Thailand, Peru and Chile top Bloomberg Markets magazine’s inaugural list of the most promising emerging markets for investors.

9. Blackstone Ends Four-Year Drought By Making New Investments In Europe
(Matching tags: European zone,world economy,international equities)

Blackstone Group has made six separate investments in Europe after concluding the region offers real promise in 2012.

10. 5 New ETFs Focus On Stocks Related To Production And Sale Of Specific Commodities
(Matching tags: commodities,ETFs,world economy)

iShares unveiled five new exchange-traded funds this week that offer exposure to commodity-related stocks.

11. How To Make The Most Out Of Renewed Growth In Emerging-Market Investments
(Matching tags: emerging markets,world economy)

Markets in the developing world have staged a comeback this year after stocks fell nearly 20% last year. But simply overweighting emerging markets is not necessarily the best reaction.  ...

12. Top Strategists Switch From Bearish To Bullish As Global Stocks Surge Ahead
(Matching tags: stocks,emerging markets,world economy)

Global stocks got off to their best start since 1994 in January, prompting a number of strategists at major banks to adopt a more positive outlook for the year.  

13. Advisors Show Increasing Confidence In U.S. Economy And Markets As New Year Gets Under Way
(Matching tags: Economic Outlook,stocks,U.S. economy,world economy)

The Advisor Confidence Index rose slightly in January to 102.5, up from 99.31 in December.

14. Easing Inflationary Pressures Should Bring U.S. Stocks And High-Yield Corporate Bonds Into Favor
(Matching tags: inflation,U.S. economy,world economy,stocks,bonds,European zone,asset allocation)

Inflationary pressures have subsided in the United States and worldwide, primarily due to weakening global growth and softening commodity prices.  ...

15. The Long-Term Commodities Rally Lost Ground In 2011 As Contracts Shrank By Most In 12 Years
(Matching tags: commodities,emerging markets,China,European zone,world economy)

The number of contracts on 13 key commodities fell an average 19% last year, the biggest rush to the exits since 2000.

16. 10 Of The Top ETF Performers In The Opening Weeks Of 2012
(Matching tags: ETFs,world economy)

The markets have started the year on a positive note, and top-performing exchange-traded funds indicate some sectors and strategies that are doing well.

17. Investors And Analysts Worldwide Agree U.S. Markets Show The Most Promise For 2012
(Matching tags: U.S. economy,stocks,European zone,world economy)

Nearly half of investors, analysts and traders polled worldwide say the United States will be among the world’s best-performing markets this year, the highest rating for the U.S. since the survey ...

18. IMF Slashes Its Forecast For World Growth And Warns Of Increasing Instability
(Matching tags: Economic Outlook,European zone,emerging markets,world economy,U.S. economy)

The European region will enter a mild recession this year, and that will likely curtail growth in the United States and in developing countries, the International Monetary Fund predicts.  

19. Treasurys Start The Year Off On A Sour Note As U.S., Global Economies Improve
(Matching tags: Treasury bonds,U.S. economy,world economy)

U.S. Treasury bonds started 2012 with the worst decline since the beginning of 2003.

20. Stocks And High-Yield Bonds Look Promising Over The Long Term: Fidelity
(Matching tags: stocks,bonds,world economy,U.S. economy,China,European zone,emerging markets)

The U.S. economy is diverging from Europe and other major global economies, accelerating while other regions continue to struggle. For long-term investors that implies promising opportunities in stocks ...