A volatile year ahead for investors

  EMERGING MARKETS Hopes were high for Asian equities at the start of 2014. Following the ‘taper tantrum' sell-off in the summer of 2013, many investors hoped markets had bottomed out, and would begin an upward climb this year. Excitement ahead of India's election of reformist Narendra Modi (right) as prime minister drove a strong rally in the CNX 500, and since the election in May the market has rallied further. The CNX 500 returned 46.8% over the 12 months to 28 November. However, concern over China's burgeoning debt crisis has grown this year. Local government and bank debt has...