Aon Risk Solutions's latest survey/global map of terrorism and political violence points to a continued threat of a terrorist attack or political violence as 44% of countries measured have an identifiable risk of terrorist attacks.This trend, says Aon, is especially prevalent in African and the Northern African countries. Despite 19 countries showing improved terrorism and political violence ratings, including the United Kingdom and Germany, data and analysis reflected by the map suggest continued and growing awareness is needed for businesses looking to expand. 

The International Monetary Fund has called on Latin America to take advantage of favourable external conditions to lay the grounds for sustained growth by strengthening its policy buffers.

The global economy is likely to expand through 2014 as the recovery in the US strengthens and eurozone growth picks up, but formidable challenges remain, according to Standard & Poor's Ratings Services global chief economist Paul Sheard.

The International Monetary Fund projects global growth at 3.3% this year, down from 3.5% six months ago. In its latest global outlook, the IMF says the main reason behind the growth prospects has been an uneven recovery among advanced economies. Fiscal brakes in some countries were another important factor.

Standard Life Investments has hired Jeremy Lawson to its global strategy team as senior international economist. Lawson will report to Andrew Milligan, head of global strategy at Standard Life Investments, and will be responsible for economic forecasting and ideas generation for Multi Asset Investing.

Global investors have lowered their risk appetite and are forecasting a slowdown in global growth, according to the latest BofA Merrill Lynch fund manager survey. Anxiety over the eurozone and new risks, particularly the potential for conflict in Korea, has intensified and caused an increase in cash holdings and a sharper preference for regions including the US and Japan.

Research from independent financial research and advisory firm, Aite Group shows that Latin American stock exchanges offer more trading opportunities for European investors than many previously realized. Indeed, equity markets across Latin America are seeing gains as they exploit initiatives aimed at integrating stock markets, adding new products, and improving market liquidity. It is clear, says the consultancy, that capital markets in emerging LatAm countries have grown in both value and complexity over the last decade.