Major global equity markets fell sharply in sterling terms over the month, with global economic confidence continuing to fall amid uncertainty in financial markets. Developed Asia ex Japan and UK markets delivered the weakest performance. Equity returns in North America and Japan underperformed the least but were still in negative territory. Major volatility in financial stocks has been the main talking point this month.Prices rose after the US government bailout of Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac then dived after Lehman Brothers filed for bankruptcy.Prices rose again at the end of the month on news of the US government plans to buy toxic assets(Troubled Asset Relief Program)and a ban on financial short-selling.This rise was short lived following European governments' nationalisation of several banks.The portfolio maintains its bias towards quality companies with the potential to deliver long-term outperformance.