While a global crisis in which large swathes of the world's population have been locked down will, inevitably, leave some companies floundering, others are likely to emerge stronger than before.
Brexit uncertainty continues to act as a drag on the UK economy, holding back business investment and undermining consumer confidence.
UK equities had a positive start to 2019. While this can be partly viewed as a rebound after 2018's difficult final quarter, what is likely to have been most significant is an extraordinary U-turn by the US Federal Reserve.
The challenges facing the UK economy are clear. Brexit uncertainty is affecting business and consumer confidence, while also contributing to a difficult political backdrop.
UK equities remain out of favour with global investors and there are, without question, companies that face challenging trading conditions.