Monthly Commentary
US markets continued to dominate the top 10 matrix during April with positive news for manufacturing pushing the Dow Jones index up to its highest level for four years. A slight weakening of the dollar and some negative news on the job front did not halt the rise.
Dividend indices in both the US and Asia remained strong during the month as investors continued to focus on income ahead of capital growth. At the same time, European assets continue to struggle as the debt crisis rumbles on with little sign of it going away or letting up.
UK Corporate Bonds which had fallen into the buffer zone rebounded back into the top eight. Just bubbling under and now starting to gain some momentum are the UK mid cap and small cap markets which, if they continue their current rise, may enter the top 10 during May. Perhaps this is a sign, at last, of some confidence returning at current prices in the local market?
Note : Figures in brackets denote position for the previous month.
Downloadable Top 10's
May 2012 Top 10 (now includes market risk levels)