Here are this month’s highlights: Geopolitical factors and monetary policy action gave investors pause for thought this month, and global equities closed modestly higher. The Federal Reserve Bank lowered interest rates as expected, trade tension simmered and the UK saw a new Prime Minister elected. Developed Market equities outperformed Emerging Markets, with South African equities notably lagging peers.

Here are this month’s highlights: It was a volatile month for global risk assets. The oil price ticked up on supply concerns, as tensions between Iran and the US escalated and OPEC agreed to maintain production cuts. Sentiments on a resolution to the trade-spat between the US and China swung from negative to positive as Presidents Xi Jinping and Donald Trump met at month-end on the sidelines of the G20 summit in Osaka, Japan. Central Banks reaffirmed their commitment to an accommodative monetary policy environment, acknowledging that global growth was a concern. Easy money boosted the appetite for risk assets (equities, high yield bonds and Emerging Markets), as growth jitters boosted demand for safe haven assets (developed market equities, gold and government bonds).

Here are this month’s highlights: Global Equities dipped sharply, in the face of tougher trade talk and global growth headwinds. The knock-on effect of Sino-US trade tension and slowing Chinese growth has taken its toll emerging markets and commodities. Local equities managed to outperform global peers, as local elections spurred investor confidence. The rand, however, was noticeably volatile. Safe-haven asset classes and defensive sectors performed better than riskier counterparts.

Here are this month’s highlights: Global equity markets put in a strong showing in April. Concerns around global growth ebbed, as key players including China and the US registered stronger-than-expected GDP growth rates for the first quarter. The still-dovish tone of Central Banks supported overall risk-appetite: Emerging Markets closed higher, government bond yields rose and high-yield bonds outperformed investment grade and government peers. South Africa was one of the best performing Emerging Markets, rallying ahead of the May election.

Here are this month’s highlights: Global markets were largely upbeat in February, as there appeared to be progress in US-Sino relationships, even as those with North Korea worsened. Earnings results boosted sentiment, and the Federal Reserve’s newly dovish tone reassured investors as to the pace of. Emerging Markets were mixed. Of the BRICS, Chinese equities closed nicely higher; Brazil, India and Russia were lower; and South African equities posted a more modest gain.

Here are this month’s highlights: Global markets, after a wobbly start to the year, closed the month on a high note. The Federal Reserve sounded a decidedly more dovish note, the US government shutdown came to an end, and a resolution to the Sino-US trade war appeared to be on the cards, all serving to whet investors’ risk appetite.

Here are this month’s highlights: Global risk assets saw little festive cheer in December, with stocks experiencing their worst quarterly drop since 2011. Having hit notable highs during the year, equities sold off sharply in December as investors continued to fret about the pace of US monetary policy normalisation, simmering US-Sino trade tension, Brexit and geopolitical tensions. Stock and sector-specific concerns weighed on technology and oil counters, while safe-haven buying saw gold tick higher.