But within just a few short weeks, the much-reported war of words between the US and China, along with the US-Iran tensions has been eclipsed by a much bigger threat. 

The Coronavirus (Covid-19) outbreak is causing global markets to react in varying degrees of distress.

This has led to an increase in short-term volatility and has left investors concerned over how slowing economic growth in China, at least in the near-term, could spread to the rest of the world.

A key question for investors tackling market volatility triggered by the Covid-19 outbreak is whether the impact will be short-lived or will mark a longer-term inflection point for the global economy - perhaps even a recession.

And given that other asset classes are more correlated, such as bonds and equities due to quantitative easing, people are looking to other asset classes for diversification - property being one.

But as an investment option, property is not perceived as very liquid, with some property funds having had to gate in recent months.

So how can property work in a portfolio and can it help with diversification?

The report, which can be read by clicking the link in the image above, qualifies for an indicative 30 minutes' worth of CPD.