Global government bond prices have generally risen over the past six months as nervous investors switched from volatile equity markets.However, UK gilts have fallen recently, as rising commodity prices have fuelled investor concerns over inflation. The problems in the US financial sector have continued to grow, as more investment banks reported subprime mortgage-related writedowns (reductions in the recorded values of these assets).There has been some significant volatility in UK and overseas equities, with markets in the major countries experiencing one of the most turbulent periods in recent memory.