Market Insight

Keep up to date with market news and insights and read our review of the week's significant activity in all major financial markets.

Last week in the markets

Investors ended the week in positive mood with all major equity markets gaining. On Tuesday, US shares were the leading risers gaining 2.4% followed by European and London shares each up 1.7%. Trading floors across the world were quiet as investors enjoyed their Christmas and New Year break. The week saw to a close the worst year for shares in decades and began 2009 on a faintly positive note with shares in London and Europe opening higher.

Last week in the markets

Weekly outlook - Tom Stevenson

Each week Tom Stevenson shares his perspective on the market. Tom has been a financial journalist for nearly 20 years, writing for the Investors Chronicle, The Independent and more recently the Daily Telegraph.

Outlook 2009 from Fidelity International by Trevor Greetham

Balanced portfolios and diversification to shield investors from a deteriorating economy in 2009 Deflation fears and falling interest rates to favour bonds Commenting on the outlook for markets in 2009, Trevor Greetham, portfolio manager of Fidelity’s Multi Asset Strategic fund, says: "After a difficult 2008, next year promises to be no easier for investors. Global growth is slowing sharply in response to the broadening credit crunch and 2009 will see recessions in a number of countries. Markets are likely to remain extremely volatile as investors weigh up bad news on the economy against an unprecedented array of central bank and government stimulus packages. Rather than trying to time moves into and out of stocks, investors looking for a lower risk profile would do best to diversify their exposure across a range of asset classes or invest in a balanced fund."