Investors have regained their taste for risk. The equity market has rallied more than 4 per cent over 3½ weeks on growing confidence that corporate earnings are heading in the right direction despite worries that the global recovery could falter.

Positive earnings news from the US quarterly reporting season has emboldened market bulls, who are convinced we’ve seen the bottom of the correction. Against this backdrop, it could prove to be an opportune time to bargain shop for shares, with the small end of the market providing a rich hunting ground for deals under $1.