International real estate stocks ex-US, followed by foreign developed-market companies, topped returns for the major asset classes for the trading week through Friday, Aug. 13, based on a set of ETFs.

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* Chaos at Kabul airport as Taliban take control of Afghanistan’s capital
* Biden White House on defensive as Afghanistan falls to Taliban rule
* Afghanistan’s collapse creates new set of new problems for US and its allies
* Global economic risk from shipping bottlenecks persist
* Delta variant is pinching demand and raising costs for companies
* Support within Fed is rising for announcing tapering in September
* China retail spending and industrial output are softer than expected for July
* Japan’s economy rebounded faster than expected in Q2
* Short-seller shop Hindenburg Research is having a moment
* US consumer sentiment falls to 10-year low in early August: