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.

Here are this month’s highlights: Developed market equity markets staged a rally at month-end on news of a likely trade-compromise between China and the US, and a more dovish tone from the US Federal Reserve. While Emerging Markets benefited from risk-on sentiment, South African equities were under pressure and underperformed peers. The rand strengthened against the USD, oil prices continued to slip and gold posted a modest gain.

Here are this month’s highlights: October proved to be a tough month for global risk assets, dubbed Red October by market watchers. Developed and emerging equities were volatile and ended sharply lower, with a tech sell-off grabbing headlines. Energy prices declined sharply at month-end, while Gold was higher on safe-haven buying.

Here are this month’s highlights: September was a month of contrasts: Even as new trade tariffs took effect in the Sino-US standoff, the US, Canada and Mexico brokered a deal on NAFTA; While South African growth languished, the US economy steamed ahead and the Federal Reserve fulfilled expectations of a rate hike toward month end.

Here are this month’s highlights: It was a mixed month for global risk assets – Emerging market equities struggled, with geopolitical tension and dollar strength feeding into perceived vulnerabilities. US growth continued to be particularly strong, while consumers globally felt the bite of sharp oil-price increases.