News

Despite uncertainty around US President Trump’s policies, geopolitics and interest rates, 2025 saw strong investment returns on the back of falling interest rates, solid economic and profit growth globally and expectations for stronger profit growth in Australia. AI enthusiasm boosted US shares although they were relative underperformers globally.

This year in the US there were many important policy changes. The main one was the increase to tariffs under Trump 2.0. Trump threatened to increase tariffs to above 30% in April (“Liberation Day”) from ~3% at the start of the year, which would have taken US tariffs to their highest level since the late 1800’s.

Global shares mostly rose over the last week but had a messy ride. While US shares initially rose strongly on the back of the end of the Government shutdown the gain for the week was erased to just 0.1% as hawkish commentary by some Fed officials saw market expectations for the probability of a December rate cut fall back to around 45% and as valuation concerns weighed on tech/AI related stocks.

US and European share markets fell sharply on Friday in response to the latest threatened re-escalation in the trade ware between the US and China

Since the start of last year gold has made a succession of record highs. But what’s driving it? Is it a forewarning of more high inflation, or something more serious? Is gold something investors should have in their portfolios?

Global shares, led by the US share market, pushed further into record territory over the last week helped by solid US earnings growth, okay economic data and expectations for the Fed to start cutting rates next month.

Despite plenty of concern around the property downturn, structural problems and now US tariffs, Chinese economic growth has so far been okay. Compared to the roaring 2000s there is no doubt that Chinese growth has slowed.

Conflict regularly flares up in the Middle East leading to concerns of a threat to inflation and economic growth via a surge in oil prices like in the 1970s and early 1980s.

We expect further cuts - implications for the economy and investors.

Share markets had a roller coaster ride over the last week – first plunging on the back of ongoing worries about Trump’s tariffs before rebounding mid-week after Trump delayed some of the tariffs for 90 days before falling again as investors realised that the average US tariff would be higher than announced on 2nd April and as signs of stress in the US bond market remained.

Markets have once again responded to escalating trade tensions, as President Trump has, for the second time, delayed the planned tariffs...

Share markets have so far been fairly resilient in the face of uncertainty around Trump’s policies particularly tariffs.

2024 saw another year of strong investment returns on the back of falling inflation, global rate cuts and growth and profits better than...

Investment markets and key developments Global shares were mixed over the last week with a backup in bond yields and a bit of profit...

Market Update Nov 2024

Investment markets and key developments Global share markets mostly rose over the last week. US shares rose 0.9% on the back of solid...

Market Update from Shane Oliver

Why super and growth assets like shares really are long term investments

What has happened in markets? US share markets fell sharply overnight, following declines in Europe and Asia. This overnight volatility...

Market Update 18 July 2024