Investment markets and key developments over the past week | AMP Capital

Investment markets and key developments over the past week It was a turbulent week for markets after the US Federal Reserve raised interest rates by 0.5% at its May board meeting. This outcome was expected by the market and economists and the market actually rose from comments by Fed Chair Powell that 0.75% rate rises was “not something that the committee is actively considering” which alleviated fears of an extremely aggressive short-term rate hike profile …

Jobs and inflation to trigger higher rates? | AMP Capital

Jobs and inflation to trigger higher rates?   The labour market is strong, with higher employment levels than pre-COVID, a record participation rate and a low unemployment rate of four per cent. Alongside increasing inflation, that’s enough trigger a rise in the official cash rate by the Reserve Bank of Australia (RBA), most likely when the RBA board meets on Tuesday (3 May). The pace of Australian jobs growth slowed last month, but that was …

Australian housing slowdown Q&A – What impact will higher interest rates have? How far will prices fall? | AMP Capital

Australian housing slowdown Q&A – What impact will higher interest rates have? How far will prices fall? Key Points Australian home prices are likely to fall by 10% to 15% into 2024 primarily as a result of poor affordability and rising interest rates. The negative wealth effect from falling home prices should help limit how much the RBA raises rates. A change in Government is unlikely to significantly affect the outlook for home prices, but …

The US Federal Reserve starts raising interest rates – implications for Australia and investors | AMP Capital

The US Federal Reserve starts raising interest rates – implications for Australia and investors Key Points The Fed has finally joined other central banks in raising interest rates, taking the Fed Funds rate from a range of 0-0.25% to 0.25-0.5%. This was well flagged and reflects the tight US labour market and high inflation. The Fed flagged another six rate hikes this year and the start of quantitative tightening soon. First rate hikes in a …

US faces stiff headwinds in 2022 | AMP Capital

US faces stiff headwinds in 2022 What happens to interest rates locally and globally is always important for investors, but particularly so at turning points in the economy. And notwithstanding the recent Omicron outbreak, the world’s most influential central bank, the US Federal Reserve, looks likely to lift interest rates as early as March. It would be the first increase in more than three years and marks a significant turning point in the global economic …

Why Australian interest rates are likely to rise and when

Why Australian interest rates are likely to rise and when Senior economist Diana Mousina answers our questions on potential interest rate changes and what it could mean for Aussie households. Why have interest rates been so low for so long? The main reason interest rates have been kept so low is the Reserve Bank of Australia undershooting on its inflation target of 2-3%. We haven’t seen underlying or core inflation within that band sustainably since …

The RBA ends bond buying – but remains “patient” on rates. We expect the first rate hike in August | AMP Capital

The RBA ends bond buying – but remains “patient” on rates. We expect the first rate hike in August   Key Points The RBA will end quantitative easing this month. While it now sees unemployment falling below 4% and higher inflation it is prepared to be “patient” for now. We expect rate hikes to commence in August. Ultimately, we see the cash rate rising to around 1.5 to 2% in the years ahead but it’s …

Market Update 26 November | AMP Capital

Market Update 26 November Investment markets & key developments Global share markets mostly fell over the past week as inflation, interest rate and coronavirus concerns – with rising cases in Europe and a new variant in South Africa – rattled investors with travel stocks being hard hit. US shares were up slightly prior to Thanksgiving, but other major markets fell. This included the Australian share market which saw sharp falls in IT, financial, retail and telco …

Econosights: How will households respond to higher interest rates? | AMP Capital

Econosights: How will households respond to higher interest rates?   Key points We think that the Reserve Bank of Australia will start to tighten interest rates at the end of 2022 (the RBA themselves think a rate hike will come in 2024 or possibly 2023). The last time the central bank hiked the cash rate was more than a decade ago. Falling interest rates over the past 20 years has led to a large decline …

Compound interest is like magic – and it’s an investor’s best friend | AMP Capital

Compound interest is like magic – and it’s an investor’s best friend Key Points Compound interest is an investor’s best friend. The higher the return, the greater the investment contribution and the longer the period the more it works. To make the most of it, ensure an adequate exposure to growth assets, contribute early and often to your investment portfolio and find a way to avoid being thrown off by the investment cycle. Introduction If …