December saw an uptick in Covid infections worldwide. Daily case numbers in the US topped one million for the first time, underlining the ongoing challenge of the pandemic.
Australia is in the midst of its biggest decline in immigration for more than 100 years.
That suggests housing construction activity could slow and that that the labour force could shrink in the years ahead.
The presidential election in the US on 5 November could dominate headlines during October, before the next meeting of the Federal Reserve later that same week. Investors are already debating whether a further reduction in borrowing costs in the US could be announced following this meeting.
The global economy is being shaped by conflicting triggers. These include productivity-boosting technology innovations, geopolitical tensions and the strident efforts of central banks to bring inflation under control. We examine the economic outlook and discuss the implications for your retirement savings.