The price of precious metals has soared as investors have sought 'hard' assets during market uncertainty, and many predict it will rise further.

With market uncertainty likely to remain, experts suggest holding defensive firms that provide goods and services consumers continue to buy, even in a recession.

With household disposable income expected to be squeezed further by rising unemployment and housing market uncertainty, some chains won't be able to cling on.

He said the bidders were adamant they could fund a deal but the market uncertainty had made it difficult for them to secure credit committee approval.

Supporting that view are developments that promise to remove some of the market uncertainty.