Selected market returns (%): (As at 29 February 2024) Key market and economic developments in February 2024 Financial markets Numerous global markets trade at all-time highs Global share markets accelerated into month end with the Australian All Ordinaries pushing to new all-time highs in the last few days of trading in February. The MSCI World Index […]
How the different asset classes have fared: (As at 31 January 2024) Key Themes: Equity Markets Reach Highs: US and Australian stock markets hit record levels, driven by economic optimism and strong sector performances, particularly in energy and finance. Fixed Income Fluctuates: International bonds dipped, with notable volatility in US and UK markets. Australian bonds saw […]
How the different asset classes have fared: (As at 31 December 2023) Key Themes Fed signalled an additional cut in 2024 which sent yields lower and equity markets higher. Strength for Australian Equities and AUD following a more dovish tone at their latest meeting. Oil fell on the back of supply/demand issues creating a headwind […]
How the different asset classes have fared: (As at 30 November 2023) International Equities November brought encouraging news in the international equity markets, marking a significant upturn for the first time in several months. Unhedged shares showed a healthy increase of 4.45%, but it was hedged shares that truly stood out, registering an impressive 8.01% growth. […]
How the different asset classes have fared: (As at 31 October 2023) International Equities International Equities fared better in October than September but still retreated as both unhedged and hedged shares fell by 0.98% and 2.72% respectively. Hedged falling further due to the continuing strength of the United States Dollar as the Fed retains high […]
How the different asset classes have fared: (As at 30 September 2023) International Equities International Equities performed poorly in September as both unhedged and hedged shares fell by 4.02% and 3.75% respectively. This result is not unexpected as there was downward pressure on equities from multiple angles, including rising oil prices and bond yields. The […]
How the different asset classes have fared: (As at 31 August 2023) International Equities The rise in international markets slowed in August with a 1.61% gain in unhedged equities and a 1.87% loss in hedged equities. This divergence is due to a fall in the value of the Australian Dollar relative to USD. With the […]
How the different asset classes have fared: (As at 31 July 2023) International Equities International markets continued their tremendous 2023 with another 2.08% and 2.86% return in unhedged and hedged equities. The Nasdaq set a half-yearly record of ~39% increase to start this year, powered by an AI-mania and falling inflation. With inflation continuing to […]
How the different asset classes have fared: (As at 30 June2023) International Equities In the month of June, international shares gained 3.16% in unhedged and 5.56% in hedged returns. This was a continuation of an already positive year for equities generally. This is despite the constant broadcasting of probably the most anticipated recession in history, […]
How the different asset classes have fared: (As at 31 May 2023) International Equities In the month of May, the international stock performance demonstrated a distinct split between hedged and unhedged shares. Unhedged shares exhibited a return of 1.20%, a surprising positive outcome considering the overall sell-off of most asset classes in the same month, […]