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In 2011, hosiery showed healthy value growth by 5%, with socks recording the fastest growth of 6% in retail value terms. Tights also recorded strong growth of 5% in 2011, thanks to the popular fashion trend among women for short tights that came up around the knee. Meanwhile, socks were previously considered poor fashion sense among young people; however, current fashion trends respect individual sense and thus socks worn on their own attracted attention. Therefore, socks returned to positive...

The Malaysian personal accident and health insurance segment accounted for the lowest industry share of all the segments. During the review period rising levels of healthcare expenditure, increasing employment rates and industrial growth drove the personal accident and health insurance segment. The Malaysian healthcare system comprises public and private healthcare services and Malaysia's aging population is expected to drive the segment over the forecast period, due to an increase in demand. The Malaysian personal accident and health insurance segment is moderately concentrated. The costs associated with the private healthcare system exclude participation from lower income demographics. However, with industrial growth, positive employment opportunities and rising GDP, the nation's middle class population is expected to increase over the forecast period and drive the personal accident and health insurance segment.

Global Market Direct's pharmaceuticals report, "Wuxi MTLH Biotechnology Co. Ltd. - Product Pipeline Review - 2012" provides data on the Wuxi MTLH Biotechnology Co. Ltd.'s research and development focus. The report includes information on current developmental pipeline, complete with latest updates, and features on discontinued and dormant projects.

Global Market Direct's pharmaceuticals report, "ApoVax, Inc. - Product Pipeline Review - 2012" provides data on the ApoVax, Inc.'s research and development focus. The report includes information on current developmental pipeline, complete with latest updates, and features on discontinued and dormant projects.

Global Markets Direct's, 'Metastatic Hepatocellular Carcinoma (HCC) - Pipeline Review, H2 2012', provides an overview of the indication's therapeutic pipeline. This report provides information on the therapeutic development for Metastatic Hepatocellular Carcinoma (HCC), complete with latest updates, and special features on late-stage and discontinued projects. It also reviews key players involved in the therapeutic development for Metastatic Hepatocellular Carcinoma (HCC). Metastatic Hepatocellular Carcinoma (HCC) - Pipeline Review, Half Year is built using data and information sourced from Global Markets Direct's proprietary databases, Company/University websites, SEC filings, investor presentations and featured press releases from company/university sites and industry-specific third party sources, put together by Global Markets Direct's team.

Global Markets Direct's, 'Male Sexual Dysfunction - Pipeline Review, H2 2012', provides an overview of the indication's therapeutic pipeline. This report provides information on the therapeutic development for Male Sexual Dysfunction, complete with latest updates, and special features on late-stage and discontinued projects. It also reviews key players involved in the therapeutic development for Male Sexual Dysfunction. Male Sexual Dysfunction - Pipeline Review, Half Year is built using data and information sourced from Global Markets Direct's proprietary databases, Company/University websites, SEC filings, investor presentations and featured press releases from company/university sites and industry-specific third party sources, put together by Global Markets Direct's team.

Global Markets Direct's new report, "Ireland Orthopedic Devices Investment Opportunities, Analysis and Forecasts to 2018" provides key market data on the Ireland Orthopedic Devices market. The report provides value (USD million), volume (units) and average price (USD) data for each segment and sub-segment within twelve market categories - Trauma Fixation, Spinal Surgery, Hip Reconstruction, Orthobiologics, Arthroscopy, Knee Reconstruction, Orthopedic Braces and Supports, Orthopedic Prosthetics, Orthopedic Bone Cement and Casting Materials, Cranio Maxillofacial Fixation (CMF), Other Joint Reconstruction and Orthopedic Tools. The report also provides company shares and distribution shares data for each of the aforementioned market categories. The report is supplemented with global corporate-level profiles of the key market participants with information on company financials and pipeline products, wherever available.

Global Markets Direct's new report, "Switzerland Cardiovascular Devices Investment Opportunities, Analysis and Forecasts to 2018" provides key market data on the Switzerland Cardiovascular Devices market. The report provides value (USD million), volume (units) and average price (USD) data for each segment and sub-segment within ten market categories - Interventional Cardiology, Cardiac Rhythm Management, Peripheral Vascular Devices, External Defibrillators, Prosthetic Heart Valves, Electrophysiology, Cardiac Assist Devices, Cardiovascular Surgery, Cardiovascular Prosthetic Devices and Cardiovascular Monitoring and Diagnostic Devices. The report also provides company shares and distribution shares data for each of the aforementioned market categories. The report is supplemented with global corporate-level profiles of the key market participants with information on company financials and pipeline products, wherever available.

Although Russia moved into 2012 with consumer spending hitting a high since the onset of the financial crisis, ongoing global instability continued, and there were concerns about slowing growth in China. Meanwhile, Russia remained dependent on revenues based on exports of gas and oil, although it is suggested that oil prices need to remain at an untenable high in order to secure economic growth. As many analysts anticipate falls in global demand, this leaves Russia in a precarious position,...

The women's outerwear market in Russia registered strong growth in both volume and especially value sales in 2011. Women's outerwear occupies the largest share in Russian apparel holding 39% of the market in value terms. Apparel specialist retailers are the growth drivers in Russia of standard price clothing due to increased living standards, as well as a gradual decrease in sales via open markets. Consumers increasingly prefer to shop at clothing and footwear specialist retailers where clothes...

The economy in China has been robust in 2011 and 2012, with stable and healthy GDP growth leading to more spending on pets overall. The total pet population and share of prepared food for cats and dogs has risen over the review period, driving sales of pet food in both volume and value terms. Growth is also being driven by the rising need for companionship and growing health concerns among pet owners in China. With the ongoing premiumisation trend for pet food and the increasing humanisation of...

Increased schooling in urban and rural areas have increased the penetration of writing instruments in India. Furthermore, the increased number of working people also supported the growth of writing instruments in India in 2012.

The dramatic economic situation facing Greece further deteriorated in 2011, with consumers witnessing their incomes shrink on a daily basis. Rising unemployment rates, consecutive tax and austerity measures, all linked to the country's desperate need to secure new loans, have created an asphyxiating context for the beauty and personal care market, as has been the case for so many other consumer markets. Greeks are cutting back on anything that is considered of secondary importance, leaving...

According to Euromonitor International data, the Chilean population is gradually ageing. This change favours the behaviour of incontinence as the category is currently driven by the number of consumers willing to acquire these products. 'This shift is having a positive impact on the incontinence category, with the number of people aged over 65, for example, contributing to rising sales. In conjunction with the favourable economic situation in Chile, senior citizens are generally more affluent...

During 2011, surface care players embarked on a series of product bundling offers to entice consumers to try their products from different categories. Brands such as Magiclean from Kao (Hong Kong) Ltd, which was present in kitchen cleaners, window/glass cleaners and bathroom cleaners amongst others, were bundled with products across a number of categories at promotional prices that encouraged trials among consumers.

Convenience continues to be the key factor in sales of set/kits. Italian consumers perceive the products as offering good value for money when making personal purchases and also very convenient as gifts. Products purchased in kits tend to be priced lower as a collective compared to their individual purchase price. Considering the ongoing economic difficulties of Italian households, this benefited sales in 2011.

Tea continued to benefit from a shift from unpackaged to packaged products at the end of the review period, as consumers traded up in search of quality and hygiene. There was thus a shift from unpackaged loose tea purchased via open markets to packaged tea purchased via independent small grocers, supermarkets and hypermarkets. This trend was also encouraged by urbanisation, which resulted in a growing number of consumers gaining access to modern retail channels. Unpackaged tea however continues...

The rising awareness of the importance of maintaining regular personal hygiene and personal grooming routines among Macedonian men underpinned growth in men's grooming in 2011. Growth in the category was stimulated by the emergence of numerous new products as the strong growth recorded in 2010 continued into 2011.

Hair care in Bosnia-Herzegovina continued to decline in 2011, although rising unit prices led to a marginal decline being recorded. In addition, the performance of hair care during 2011 was considerably inferior to the 3% current value CAGR recorded over the course of the review period. The main reason for the poor performance of hair care in Bosnia-Herzegovina during 2011 was the ongoing economic recession.

Current value growth in street stalls/kiosks slowed to 2% in 2011. The category had previously recorded 4% compound annual growth over the review period. Outlet growth also slowed from that witnessed over the review period, with 1% growth to 4,306 outlets in 2011.

Molecular diagnostics (MDx) is a new class of diagnostic tests that identify nucleic acids or proteins to test the status of a disease. These nucleic acids or proteins, which belong to individual patients or foreign organisms, help determine a specific therapy, or risk of developing a specific disease, or other health conditions. MDx is the fastest growing segment within the in-vitro diagnostic (IVD) space, driven by accuracy, high sensitivity, fast turnaround time, easy workflow, and cost-effective testing. Owing to these factors, the molecular diagnostics market crossed $4.8 billion in 2011, and is poised to grow at a CAGR of 9.1% in the next five years.

Soy bean is processed into three kinds such as soy protein isolates (~90% protein), soy protein concentrates (~70% protein), and soy flour (~50% protein). Soy protein ingredients are the ideal ingredients for meat processing industry and also for infant formulations. These are equipped with a complete amino acid profile, are embraced for its health benefits, and are versatile due to its functional properties. As result of this, these are used as stabilizer, emulsifier, tenderizer, binder, gel, and thickener in food and beverage processing. Soy proteins carry all the essential amino acids. Soy is generally high in calcium and is used to treat osteoporosis. FDA has declared that soy can reduce the cholesterol level. These are also rich in fiber, polyunsaturated fats and lecithin, calcium, iron, magnesium, potassium, and vitamin B. Soy protein ingredients are considered as environmentally friendly as these require less amount of water. These are a very good substitute to animal protein and cheaper too, hence play an essential role in animal welfare and are known to be eco-friendly.

BMI View: Energy policy is low on the agenda in terms of the new Greek government's political priorities, although energy privatisation is a greater immediate concern. Bidders are being lined up for the state gas industry, and rumours persist that a deal for control of Hellenic Petroleum could be close to completion. Meanwhile, demand trends will be dependent on a sustained economic recovery.

With the introduction of the 4G LTE networks and the associated high speed data rates, videos become much a much more pleasant experience. Accordingly, the industry is counting on video being the initial big non-voice application. While carriers are settling VoLTE operations, they will simultaneously offer various video over LTE services and associated applications. The introduction of IMS with LTE offers the promise of various value-added offerings such as Rich Communications and other multi-media experiences involving voice and data. However, prior to reaching a multimedia experience for end-users, how will the operators generate revenues?

BMI View: Data released by China's State Electricity Regulatory Commission (SERC) reconfirms our view of the Chinese power sector, with total power consumption having grown by just 5.5% year-on-year (y-o-y) in H112. With GDP figures supporting our long-held view that full-year expansion for 2012 will come in below 8.0%, we remain of the opinion that there will be a deceleration in power consumption and generation. However, we note that the projects pipeline - supported by long-term expectations and the government's commitment - looks healthy, and we also note that the sector could benefit from an increase in hydropower generation, brought on by strong precipitations.