There is a range of trends grabbing investors’ attentions that has not been seen for some time. The big banks and miners have long been market darlings, but the falling iron ore price and dollar, as well as speculation the regulators will act to curb the boom in property markets, has prompted a substantial correction in these stocks.

Volatility in equities markets, and in the dollar, has also risen sharply. Given this background, it’s likely to be a very interesting run up to Christmas in financial markets. Darren Moglia, head of Westpac Online Investing says we’re at an interesting point in the market, ­following its significant decline from the highs seen at the start of September.