Absence of optimism in next year's outlook

LAST week was perhaps one of the most forgettable five days in the annals of the local market, with stocks weak almost every day and, apart from a handful of index stocks, volume as poor as it has been at any time this year.

This week holds the promise of some change, although optimists shouldn't get too carried away by expectations that the market will enjoy a drastic turnaround in fortunes. …