Global markets are desperate for some Christmas spirit after a dismal year | Jasper Jolly

Investors hoping for a 'Santa rally' look set to be disappointed, as many fear the strong run of recent times is over

Investors are entering the Christmas holidays hoping for some respite from a brutal few months in which stock markets have sold off across the world, with little sign of the customary "Santa rally" in December.

The UK's FTSE 100 is on track for its worst performance in a decade in 2018 - barring dramatic moves in the three days of trading left on the London Stock Exchange, including half days on Christmas Eve and New Year's Eve. At Friday's close London's blue-chip index had lost more than 12% for the year to date, which would equate to the worst run over a calendar year since the global financial crisis hit in 2008.

Bouts of market volatility can be expected in an environment which is likely to remain on edge