Asset allocation and investment opportunities came under the spotlight at a Growth Investments business breakfast hosted by global asset manager Schroders at the Hilton last week.

Investment services licence holders were addressed by Stuart Fairbairn, general manager of Growth Investments, the local representatives of Schroders. Schroders' head of Central, Eastern Europe and Mediterranean Business Adrian Harris, and business development manager Thierry Clark delivered a presentation on "winning investments strategies for an unclear market".

One year on from the collapse of Lehman Brothers, the world economy appears to be easing out of recession with equity markets rallying strongly on the back of positive corporate results. Credit markets continue to perform well, but government bond yields have fallen and gold has broken through $1,000, moves associated with increased risk aversion.

Schroders provided their views for the remainder of the year on cash, fixed income, equities, commodities and property.

Mr Harris and Mr Clarke explained that there has been a huge rally this year in corporate and high yield bonds and that it was not over yet. Mr Harris explained Schroders believed the next two to three years should be a great period to be invested in high-yield bonds and in emerging markets. Credit spreads were still at a 20-year high and emerging economies were expected to account for more than half of the world economies growth next year.

They explained that the pace of defaults is slowing, liquidity has improved, better earnings results are being announced and the demand continues to be stronger than supply.

Schroders boast an experienced credit team and strong equity team. They have no capacity constraints and their risk-adjusted returns over the past five years are solid relative to the benchmark and peers.

Growth Investments Ltd is a wholly-owned subsidiary of Middlesea Valletta Life Assurance Co. Ltd.

For more information contact Growth Investments on 21234582 or visit www.schroders.com/malta.