On the one hand, economies are recovering, unemployment is falling, housing prices are on the up, and market interest rates have moved materially off their lows.
Stephen Jones, chief investment officer of Kames Capital, has said the UK's improving GDP figures mean it is now rivalling some emerging markets in the growth stakes.
China's growth rate slowed to its lowest level in 18 months in the first quarter of 2014 amid fears the economy is experiencing a slowdown in momentum.
The International Monetary Fund (IMF) upgraded its UK GDP forecast and now predicts the country will see stronger growth than any other G7 economy this year.