In this week’s Diary a tour of the world from East to West with an undercurrent of optimism as we move from tentative reopening to the evidence of activity.

The FTSE 100 is called to open 145 points higher 6138. Asian stocks climbed with U.S. and European futures Tuesday despite escalating geopolitical risks, with Japan leading gains as the world’s third-largest economy reopened. Treasuries dipped in early trading after the three-day U.S. weekend, while the dollar retreated. Futures on the S&P 500 were up on Friday’s close, suggesting a positive open on Wall Street. Shares rose in Tokyo, Sydney and Seoul, while Hong Kong stocks also pushed higher, showing signs of stabilizing after weekend unrest. Shanghai saw more modest gains. Crude oil advanced past $34 a barrel in New York.

This is the second in my series of regular updates on the world of funds, investment trusts, ETFs and all things related to Fund Research.

One of the more challenging conversations that I am having with clients at the moment is trying to explain why stock markets have been so resilient during recent weeks in the face of such seismic economic disruption.