Market Update 10 September Investment markets and key developments over the past week Global shares were mixed over the last week. US and European shares fell on concerns about the growth outlook and central banks reducing stimulus, but Japanese shares continued to rise on hopes for more fiscal stimulus after PM Suga announced he would step down and Chinese shares rose. Australian shares fell on the back of the weak global lead, lower iron ore prices …
Market Update 03 September Investment markets and key developments over the past week Global share markets saw continuing gains over the past week helped by expectations that the Delta outbreak won’t lead to lockdowns in major developed countries and that the Fed would be gradual in scaling back monetary stimulus. Helped by the positive global lead and rapidly rising vaccination rates, the Australian share market also rose despite rising local coronavirus cases, with the gains …
Australian GDP slowed in the June quarter & will be hit hard by the lockdowns – but here’s 7 reasons to look beyond the gloom Key Points Australian GDP growth slowed in the June quarter but to a stronger than expected +0.7%qoq. This avoids a technical recession, but the current quarter is likely to see a 4% slump due to the lockdowns. While there is lots of gloom around there remains strong reason for optimism …
Six reasons why shares are at or near record levels. But is it sustainable? Key Points Bonds and shares often diverge – we saw this a year ago with shares rallying but bond yields staying low. Shares have been boosted by strong earnings news, improved valuations, investor awareness of last years’ experience of a post lockdown bounce back, vaccines providing optimism in a more sustained reopening, some pressure for more stimulus & M&A activity. While …
Market Update 13 August Investment markets and key developments over the past week Global share markets continued to rise over the last week with reopening and earnings optimism offsetting Delta concerns and propelling US and European shares to record highs. The Australian share market also rose to a new high on the back of good earnings news offsetting ongoing dismal news on lockdowns – notably in NSW – with banks, telcos, utilities and retail stocks leading …
Market Update 6 August Investment markets and key developments over the past week Global share markets rose over the last week with US and European shares making a new high helped by good earnings results offsetting Delta concerns. The Australian share market also rose to a new high propelled by M&A activity in relation to Afterpay and Santos & Oil Search with strong gains in IT, financial, consumer staple and property stocks. Bond yields rose in …
COVID relief continues for retirees The Australian Government has extended measures brought in to help retirees through the COVID-19 crisis. Lower minimum income rate… If you hold an account-based pension or similar product, you need to withdraw a certain amount each financial year – this is called your minimum income amount. The Government reduced this amount by 50% during the last year. The lower rate has now been extended until 30 June 2022 so Australian …
Market Update 30 July Investment markets and key developments over the past week Despite some concerns about Chinese regulatory tightening early in the week and ongoing worries about coronavirus US and European shares rose over the last week helped by strong earnings results in the US and strong data in Europe. Japanese and Chinese shares fell though with regulatory issues weighing on the latter. The positive US lead helped push the Australian share market …
Market Update 23 July Investment markets and key developments over the past week Share market indexes mostly managed to look through coronavirus concerns over the last week and rebound helped by good US earnings and dovish guidance from the ECB. US, European and Chinese shares rose but Japanese shares fell. The positive global lead also helped push up the Australian share market to a new record high despite expanding lockdowns with strong gains in lockdown …
Market Update 16 July Investment markets and key developments over the past week Share markets were buffeted again by higher inflation and mixed messages from various central banks over the last week. While US and European shares fell slightly, Japanese, Chinese and Australian shares rose benefitting from the rally in US shares at the end of the previous week. The gain in Australian shares came despite bad news on lockdowns and was led by utility, …
