Retail banks are the best way to play the improving consumer environment, and investment banks have been performing well on the back of a strong market.
CRH is a company that's consistently delivered value. It's got strong management and they've performed well organically and through selective acquisitions.
Generally investors remain cautiously optimistic and certainly aren't looking to abandon equities quite yet.
The global economy is slowing. Estimates may still be too complacent regarding the degree of the slowdown.