Predictions for the demise of China may have been exaggerated. There are signs it is recovering fast.

Amid signs that Covid-19 infection rates were on the rise once again around Europe, some localised restrictions were reimposed in August, putting a brake on economic activity.

Global share prices generally rose during August as investors took heart from ongoing fiscal and monetary support alongside some encouraging economic data.

The value of Apple hit $2trillion last week after a significant rise in its share price in the previous three months.

Gilt yields continued their decline over June as demand for government bonds was boosted by expectations that the Bank of England (BoE) would expand its programme of quantitative easing measures.