Weekly Market Update 16 August 2019

Weekly Market Update 16 August 2019 Investment markets and key developments over the past week The past week saw share markets remain under pressure as the trade war rolled and Chinese and German economic data was weak leading to an intensification of global growth fears particularly after declining US bond yields saw a further inversion in the US yield curve. While Chinese shares rose on stimulus hopes US, European and Japanese shares fell, leaving global shares …

How to retire early

How to retire early Whether you choose or need early retirement, having a plan can give your money the best chance of lasting the distance. Whether lifestyle preferences or circumstances beyond your control are behind your decision to retire early, you’ll need to make a plan to help your retirement savings last, while still enjoying a few of your favourite comforts in life. Here are some retirement planning tips to consider when thinking about retiring …

Weekly Market Update 9 August 2019

Weekly Market Update 9 August 2019 Investment markets and key developments over the past week The past week saw a roller coaster ride in share markets with sharp falls after China responded to Trump’s latest tariffs by letting the Renminbi fall in value and ordering state-owned enterprises to halt agricultural imports from the US and the US responded by labelling China a currency manipulator, followed by a rebound as China limited downside in the Renminbi and …

Weekly Market Update 2 August 2019

Weekly Market Update 2 August 2019 Investment markets and key developments over the past week It was back to “risk off” over the last week as the resumption of the US/China trade war, a less dovish than expected Fed and mixed economic data pushed global share markets down. The Australian ASX 200 followed the All Ords index to a new record high early in the week but the local market succumbed to global share market falls …

Weekly Market Update 26 July 2019

Weekly Market Update 26 July 2019 Investment markets and key developments over the past week Share markets rose over the last week helped along by positive news on trade, a deal to resolve the US debt ceiling and reasonable US earnings. While Australian shares slipped on Friday, they rose through the week helped by the positive global lead with the All Ords finally surpassing its 2007 all-time high with strong gains in energy, consumer, industrial …

Weekly Market Update 19 July 2019

Weekly Market Update 19 July 2019 Investment markets and key developments over the past week US, European and Japanese shares slipped over the last week as trade war uncertainty continued to weigh amidst some mixed US earnings reports. Global trade war uncertainties also weighed on the Australian share market with a sharp fall in oil prices particularly hitting energy stocks, but gains in materials, consumer and health stocks left the local market broadly flat for the …

Weekly Market Update 12 July 2019

Weekly Market Update 12 July 2019 Investment markets and key developments over the past week Global share markets were mixed this week. Dovish comments from US Fed Chair Powell confirmed market expectations for rate cuts starting from July boosting US equities but these expectations were tempered by stronger US consumer price data. This week, US shares are up by 0.3% (and hit a record high), European shares are 0.9% lower, Japanese shares fell by 0.5%, Chinese …

Weekly Market Update 5 July 2019

Weekly Market Update 5 July 2019 Investment markets and key developments over the past week Share market rose solidly over the last week buoyed by a bunch of good news including the latest US/China trade war truce, the nomination of Christine Lagarde to head the ECB after Draghi and, in Australia, another rate cut and Parliamentary support for tax cuts. Bond yields continued to fall though on the back of soft economic data with Italian …

Weekly Market Update 28 June 2019

Weekly Market Update 28 June 2019 Investment markets and key developments over the past week Global shares slipped over the last week on the back of uncertainty ahead of the Trump/Xi meeting at the G20 and fears that the Fed may not be dovish enough in the face of soft data. Bond yields were flat to down reflecting global uncertainties, expectations for monetary easing and safe haven demand. Oil prices rose on continuing US/Iran tensions and …

Weekly Market Update 21 June 2019

Weekly Market Update 21 June 2019 Investment markets and key developments over the past week Share markets pushed higher over the last week as the Fed and the ECB hinted strongly at monetary easing ahead and as it was confirmed that Presidents Trump and Xi will meet on the sidelines of the 28-29 June G20 meeting in Japan. Expectations for monetary easing saw bond yields push even lower with a new record low in Australia. Commodity …