Is the bull market over for gold? I doubt it. The next phase could be quite explosive, particularly for the gold mining stocks.

Signs of a cyclical re-acceleration are emerging, but the upswing in China's economy is not firing on all cylinders.

The talked-of Bank could have important implications for how economics and finance is changing.

Are the policy proposals of Prime Minister Abe a signal to re-orient portfolios to Japan?

Without some major shake-up, the Euro will fail. A monetary union between countries with no growth, rising unemployment and decreasing levels of trade with each other is just not credible.

Sherlock Holmes would've been intrigued – there were critical things that didn't happen in markets in 2012. Will they, in 2013?

Reform doesn't equate to austerity, as Italian voters have shown. US reform does not equate to austerity either.

Most planners struggle to reach and effectively serve Gen X and Gen Y, tending instead to focus their on baby boomers. But it's quite possible serve at least a fairly wide swath of Gen X and Gen Y.

When I transverse the latest data and policy issues, the prospects for so many countries are either worrying or exciting or perhaps both, depending on your state of mind.

The main areas of risk and contagion that investors may wish to consider in 2013.

Five themes define the opportunity set for asset classes and markets for the coming five years.

The catalyst for improved sentiment for commodity-based equities will be a return of confidence and more stable political and economic environment.

We are relatively optimistic about the outlook for global growth, and the US in particular. We see four main reasons why the market could become more worried about inflation.

Amidst the volatility and doomsday talk in China, Asia ex-Japan equities ended up as the best performing region in 2012. For 2013, the outlook for Asia continues to be positive.

The growing yield-seeking flood of money is causing a growing divide between real and perceived values in the private equity market.

What happens after 10% growth? History shows few economies last the distance.

I never quite expected to be asking this question. But at some point, the question is going to become very real.

Here's one adviser who has mastered social media and how it fits together, to stand out in the profession's "sea of sameness".

For better or worse, 2013 is likely to be another year when the market's fate will rest largely with politicians and policy makers. For now, we remain cautiously optimistic.

It is shaping up for a period where the FX market is back, front and centre. An aspect at the forefront is the notion of so-called "currency wars". I'm dismissive of such accusations.