Stock markets around the world have confidently entered the New Year with sharp increases. Here in the UK the FTSE has broken through the 5500 points mark as it continues its meteoric rise from a low of 3500 at the beginning of March last year. 2010 certainly seems to have brought an air of increased positivity to the market and economy as a whole, with many market and economic commentators expecting this to be a year of economic recovery.
House prices have already shown their resilience with substantial gains last year and upcoming statistics will hopefully show strong high street sales throughout the Christmas period ahead of the January 1st increase in VAT. In fact, the John Lewis partnership has already reported its best ever Christmas season with both the department store and supermarket businesses enjoying strong sales. The firm says that a number of records have been broken during this period.
So as we enter a new year and indeed a new decade, it seems that the time has come to put the recession firmly behind us and to consign the credit crunch to history, as we aim for growth and prosperity.
Happy New Year!
