As G20 finance ministers met in London on Friday to discuss how and when they will withdraw the expensive medication that has kept the global economy functioning, it is worth pausing for a moment to consider what this means for equities.

There is little to worry about in the short term. It is highly unlikely the G20 members will suddenly end their huge stimulus packages because that would threaten the fragile economic recovery. Indeed, Alistair Darling, the chancellor, warned this week that the world could be dragged into a double-dip recession if governments stopped stimulating their economies. This is why stock market bulls believe the summer rally will continue.