"We think the oft cited event risks – be it European elections or US sequestration – are unlikely to result in sustained market weakness." The analyst tipped the second half of 2013 to be tougher, with the debate about US monetary policy likely to intensify later in the year. Retailers are struggling after it was revealed sales on the UK's High Street in January were hit by the heavy snowfall. B&Q owner Kingfisher ( LON:KGF ), Tesco ( LON:TSCO ) and Marks & Spencer ( LON:MKS ) all drifted lower at the end of the week.