Weaker global economic growth and a sharemarket rout may be an opportunity for companies that rent goods, provide short-term finance or buy distressed debt. These so-called hardship stocks include Cash Converters International , Thorn Group , Credit Corp Group and Collection House .

There is no shortage of bad news in the world. The latest was a surprise rise in the unemployment rate to 5.1 per cent from 4.9 per cent. If the trend continues, demand for costly unsecured short-term finance or “payday" loans could rise and more people might rent, rather than buy, electrical goods.