FTSE 100

Mining stocks have driven the FTSE 100 to a four year high, boosted by better than expected Chinese growth figures.

UK EQUITIES

After a strong run in equity markets, with the FTSE soaring through 6,100 in the first month of 2013, could history repeat itself via a pullback or even a full-blown correction in the spring months?

The FTSE 100 has had the best start to a year since 1999 as investors pour billions back into global equities.

The FTSE 100 closed at its highest level since May 2008 yesterday as investors continued to snap up cyclical names, including the UK's semi state-owned banks.

2012 was a mixed year for markets, with developed market equities recovering from a summer sell-off to make marginal gains, while some segments of the property and bond markets outperformed.

Querns' Stephen Whittaker is backing consumer and financial stocks to outperform in 2013, following an overhaul of his income portfolio last year and the departure of co-manager Phil Roantree.

BLUE CHIPS

The FTSE 100 has started to recover during this morning's trading, after its first poor finish since the start of the year on Monday.

HSBC says sterling will weaken this year as it faces a "triple cocktail" of potentially destructive factors from China, the US and the eurozone.