Analysis

We all know you should not smoke and should only drink in moderation.

The S&P 500 has risen more than 40% since the lows witnessed earlier this year.

Corporate bond markets provided investors with great opportunities over the course of the past few months, contrasting with the view of many that the area is comparatively sleepy.

Despite frequent waves of negative news, there are several bullish trends emerging for the US economy and its stock market.

Since March this year the Asia Pacific markets have rallied strongly, as investors anticipated that loose monetary policy and government stimulus packages would be enough to trigger a recovery.

The overall economic picture, from the combined newsflow at macro and individual company level, is one of uneasy stability.

Having recorded further heavy losses in early 2009 to reach a low point in March, share prices have rebounded strongly in recent months.

Diverse sector at the forefront of downturn over past year, with just eight funds producing positive returns to investors

There is little doubt the tide is turning for one of the most unloved regions. Investor sentiment towards Europe in July, as measured by the Bank of America Merrill Lynch fund manager survey, was at its lowest level since 2003.

Japan's economy expanded 0.9% in the second quarter compared to the previous one, lifting hopes that it may be recovering after four quarters of contraction.