stock markets

The American stock market is having a good year. From its low point of 677 on 9 March 2009, the S&P 500 index has recovered by over 60%.

Polar Capital's James Salter reflects on the outlook for the Japanese stock market under new Prime Minister, Yukio Hatoyama

The UK stock market feels less volatile, and there are tangible signs of stabilisation and incremental improvement in the global economy.

It is important to assess all potential investments on merit, irrespective of current prejudices. Investors who are able to look through widely accepted fears about ‘forgotten' companies and have the strength to back their convictions stand to profit...

The UK economy is struggling but it is not all bad news in the stock market.

After some uncertain times, the newsflow is getting more positive and the tables appear to be turning. Have we really come through the banking crisis unscathed or is there more bad news in the post?

On a local currency basis, the FTSE World Europe ex UK Total Return Index has outperformed the S&P 500 Total Return Index since the March 2009 lows, reflecting the fact that European markets tend to be more sensitive to global growth.

Recent years have not been kind to the Japanese stock market.

After a strong performance from most equity markets since the lows of March 2009, it is reasonable to expect a degree of consolidation in the short term.

Pre credit crunch, the Chinese economy had been expanding at a tremendous rate; China's GDP growth in the mid-teens combined with booming housing and stock markets clearly signalled a case of overheating.