Econosights: Have we reached peak inflation? Key points A peak in inflation (in annual terms) has likely been reached in the US while Australia is lagging behind and is likely to see a peak in December 2022. Extremely high European energy prices means Euro inflation will increase further and may not peak until 2023. But, inflation is unlikely to be headed back to its pre-Covid levels of ~2% per annum or less and we expect …
Market Update 26 August 2022 Investment markets and key developments over the past week Sharemarkets were down slightly over the week reflecting 1) a pause in the rally that started in mid-June and 2) uncertainty before Fed chair Powell’s speech at Jackson Hole meeting on Friday morning (US time). US shares were down 0.7% so far, with the largest falls in tech, healthcare, consumer discretionary while energy and materials were up. Australian shares are down slightly …
Market Update 19 August 2022 Investment markets & key developments The global share market rebound faltered a bit over the last week with mixed economic data and mostly hawkish messages from central banks. US and European shares were little changed, Japanese shares rose and Chinese shares fell. The Australian share market rose solidly though helped by strong earnings results for some companies led by strong gains in retail, resources and industrial stocks. Bond yields …
Market Update 12 August 2022 Investment markets & key developments The share market rebound continued over the last week helped by weaker than expected US inflation data. Australian shares were little changed though with strong gains in resources largely offset by sharp falls in IT, health and property shares. Bond yields generally rose as the fall in yields in prior weeks had gone a little too far too fast. Oil prices rose partly due …
Investment cycles – why investors need to be aware and wary of them Key points Cyclical fluctuations are a key aspect of investment markets. Most are driven by economic developments but are magnified by swings in investor sentiment. Of particular importance are the long-term cycles which are often driven by waves of innovation and the 3-5 year business cycle. Right now, we are still in the downswing phase of the business cycle and may have …
Econosights: Is the Bank of England’s recession forecast a warning for other central banks? Key points The Bank of England’s latest forecasts assume a bleak outlook for the UK over 2022/23 with inflation peaking at 13%, a decline in GDP growth of more than 2% and a recession lasting over a year. Australia and the US are facing some similarities to the UK economy, but the energy crisis in both countries is less severe. …
Market Update 5 August 2022 Investment markets & key developments The rebound in share markets continued over the last week helped by good earnings data and relief that increased China/US tensions resulting from US House Speaker Nancy Pelosi’s visit to Taiwan did not spill over into a more serious conflict (at least not yet). The positive global lead along with signs of slightly diminished hawkishness from the RBA pushed the Australian share market higher with …
Econosights: What are inflation expectations telling us? Key points An increase in short-term consumer inflation expectations reflects the current high inflation environment. While consumers are assuming that inflation will remain elevated at its current level for the next 1-2 years, this is unlikely as forward-looking inflation indicators have been falling for months. Australian medium-term inflation expectations remain well anchored which indicates that the market believes in the RBA’s 2-3% inflation target and does not …
Five reasons why the RBA cash rate is likely to peak (or should peak) with a 2 in front of it rather than a 3 (or more) Key points The RBA has hiked the cash rate by another 0.5% taking it to 1.85% and signalling more hikes ahead. We see the cash rate peaking around 2.6% which is at the low end of market and economists’ expectations. Market & consensus expectations for rates to rise …
