Highlights:
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Trade tensions between the US and China are still a source of significant uncertainty for financial markets.
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Political risks and trade uncertainty have seen a vicious cycle of selling in emerging market currencies as investors react to contagion fears.
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US shares rose in August on the back of positive company earnings results, while European economic data was soft.
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Australia recorded GDP growth of 3.4% year-on-year—the fastest rate since 2012 during the height of the mining boom.
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On the Brexit front, the biggest stumbling blocks remain the Irish border plan and the UK’s post-exit trade relationship with the EU.
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