Market & Portfolio Update - April 2023

30 May 2023 by Lifetime in Market Update

Market & Portfolio Update - April 2023

Global share markets had another positive month in April, rising 1.6% in local currency terms, as investors were encouraged by the latest round of company financial results. Of the companies that have reported to date, the majority have exceeded earnings expectations, with particular strength seen in large tech names such as Alphabet and Meta.

Following the collapse of two small regional US banks in March, we saw a third US regional bank (First Republic) come under pressure toward the end of April. Ultimately the US regulators took control of First Republic Bank and sold it to the much larger and well-capitalised J.P Morgan.

New Zealand’s annual inflation rate fell from 7.2% to 6.7% in the first quarter of the year. While still well above the Reserve Bank of New Zealand (RBNZ) target rate of 1 – 3%, it was lower than many economists were expecting.

Undeterred by the better-than-expected inflation rate, the RBNZ raised the OCR an additional 0.5%, taking New Zealand’s benchmark interest rate to 5.25%. Current market expectations are for one more hike to 5.5%.

preview image - Market & Portfolio Update - August 2025

Market & Portfolio Update - August 2025

The global share market (represented by the MSCI World Gross Index) was up +2.6% in NZ dollar terms in August. All eyes were on the largest publicly traded company in the world, Nvidia, as the AI chip producer released their latest earnings report, which soundly beat investors’ expectations of sales and earnings. 

16 September 2025 by Lifetime in Market Update
preview image - Lifetime Book Club: Happy Money: The Science of Happier Spending by Elizabeth Dunn & Michael Norton

Lifetime Book Club: Happy Money: The Science of Happier Spending by Elizabeth Dunn & Michael Norton

“Money can't buy happiness – unless you know how to spend it.”

That’s the heart of Happy Money. This isn’t your usual guide to budgeting, saving, or investing. It’s a fascinating, research-driven look at how to turn spending into something that genuinely makes you feel good – not just for a moment, but in a meaningful, lasting way.

27 August 2025 by Lifetime in Lifetime Book Club