Increasing tensions between the West and Iran have helped push Brent crude to an eight-month high of $121 a barrel, leaving many concerned over the longer-term impact.
The past three years have been a tumultuous time for the financials sector, which has seen a phase of deleveraging, rights issues and balance sheet repair which continues to this day.
The embattled Greek economy shrunk by 7% in the last quarter of 2011, as fiscal and political crises ravaged the region.
PSigma's Bill Mott has warned earnings growth forecasts for UK companies are far too high, while equity markets have reached a peak and are set for a correction.