Weekly Market Update 31 May 2019

Weekly Market Update 31 May 2019 Investment markets and key developments over the past week Global share markets fell again over the last week on the back of worries about global growth in the face of the escalating US/China trade war, made worse by Trump’s decision to put a 5% tariff on imports from Mexico rising to 25% by October unless it stops illegal immigration. Australian shares were dragged lower too as post-election euphoria wore off …

Weekly Market Update 24 May 2019

Weekly Market Update 24 May 2019 Investment markets and key developments over the past week Global share markets fell over past week amid escalating noise around the US/China trade war and increasing signs that it may be impacting business conditions. However, Australia’s “miracle” election set off a surge in the Australian share market with investors pricing out the risk of a Labor Government which resulted in a surge in bank, retail and property shares more than …

What the Coalition’s election victory means for Australia’s economy

What the Coalition’s election victory means for Australia’s economy With the Coalition returning to government following Saturday’s Federal election, it’s likely to be business as usual for the Australian economy. AMP Capital Senior Economist Diana Mousina says the Coalition’s focus in the near term will remain on providing tax relief to low-and-middle-income households, which was the focus of this year’s Federal budget. This tax relief represents about 0.5 per cent of gross domestic product (GDP). …

Weekly Market Update 17 May 2019

Weekly Market Update 17 May 2019 Investment markets and key developments over the past week Share markets fell earlier in the past week as the trade war continued to escalate, before rebounding helped by better economic and earnings news and hopes of a trade deal. This left share markets mixed with US and Chinese shares down slightly, but Eurozone, Japanese and Australian shares up. Australian shares saw strong gains in resources stocks helped by rising iron …

Weekly Market Update 5 October 2018

Weekly Market Update 5 October 2018 Investment markets and key developments over the past week Share markets fell over the last week, largely in response to a renewed rise in bond yields. Commodity prices rose, although this was mainly due to higher oil prices. Strong US economic data and some rise in expectations for Fed tightening saw the $US rise and this saw the $A fall below $US0.71. Bond yields have resumed their rising trend, with …

How is the Kiwi dollar faring?

How is the Kiwi dollar faring? Investors have been watching the Australian dollar weaken since January, but they may not be aware that the currency of our near neighbour New Zealand has also been under pressure, with further weakening likely. The New Zealand dollar has fallen as the Fed continues to raise rates in the US and the Reserve Bank of New Zealand (RBNZ) announced an unexpectedly dovish policy stance. In its August monetary statement, …

What’s happening in the Chinese economy at the moment?

What’s happening in the Chinese economy at the moment?   Investors should keep a watching brief on the Chinese economy, AMP Capital Investment Strategist, Angus Nicholson says. He warns that key risks include weak credit growth, the US trade war and signs of slowing global growth. “Investors should keep a bit of an eye on China this year. China has been a growing risk factor in many investors’ perceptions at the moment.” But Nicholson says …

Are young families the most vulnerable as house prices head lower?

Are young families the most vulnerable as house prices head lower? The long-term rise in Australian home prices has led to a huge inter-generational transfer of wealth from the young to the old. A material reversal in property values will go some way to unwinding this, creating winners and losers amongst the generations. Australia has long had a love affair with home ownership, which is illustrated by the strong growth in residential prices over the …

Weekly Market Update 28 September 2018

Weekly Market Update 28 September 2018 Investment markets and key developments over the past week While US shares fell slightly over the last week most major share market saw gains.Bond yields fell a bit in the US and Australia but rose elsewhere. Oil prices rose after OPEC left output unchanged, but metal and iron prices fell. The $US rose, particularly as the Euro fell on renewed Italian budget worries, and this saw the $A slip …

Five charts to keep an eye on regarding the global economy

Five charts to keep an eye on regarding the global economy Key points Whether a recession is imminent or not in the US, and more broadly globally, is critically important in terms of whether a major bear market in shares is on the way.   Five key global charts to watch in getting a handle on whether a major downturn is on the way are: global business conditions PMIs; global inflation; the US yield curve; …