So much has been made of anaemic UK econonic growth prospects that the investment case is generally considered less-than-compelling.
But in the grand scheme of things, could the UK be given the disputable honour of "least-worst"?
Amid a bad bunch that could be the best we can hope for.
In the 10th Global Financial Centres Index, released on Tuesday, London managed to hold on to the crown of top financial centre, although there was little to separate it from New York and Hong Kong.
While the accolade does not necessarily mean investors should pour their money into UK equities, it does assess factors such as business environment, market access and talent: three elements of an attractive investment region.
Certainly it would seem that in times of trouble UK investors turn to what they know.
Lee Robertson, CEO of Investment Quorum, said UK investors are bringing their risk home as they have started to see growing signs of emerging markets’ prospects being related to the European debt crisis.
While the UK will not be immune to any fall out from the situation in the eurozone, banks in the UK have done a large amount of deleveraging since 2008.
Their main exposure now is to Ireland, which in comparison to Spain, Italy and Greece has stayed out of the spotlight recently.
Another positive sign for the UK is that the FTSE 100 is still trading safely above 5,000, an important psychological mark for investors.
All UK stocks should not be treated as equal, however.
It should be remembered that large caps particularly are global stocks and their performance is tied up with what is going on around the world.
Simon Gibson, director at Atkinson Bolton, would go as far as to decouple the fate of British stocks from the UK economy.
He said even if Chancellor George Osborne and co seem to be following the right path to cut spending and to deleverage, 50% of revenue generated on the FTSE All Share index comes from overseas and this is even higher for FTSE 100 companies.
But not all UK companies are so globally involved.
Some small and mid-sized companies are doing particularly well, according to Robertson.
So if you can drown out the noise and constant stream of concern coming out of Europe, the US and emerging markets, and take time to look closer to home, maybe you will find an island of hope amid the stormy seas.
