Market & Portfolio Update - February 2019
Market & Portfolio Update - February 2019
Global share markets continued to rebound in February and have now recovered almost all of the decline we saw in the last three months of 2018. The Chinese share market was the standout performer, rebounding almost 14% after responding positively to stimulus provided by the Chinese Government. This also helped trade sentiment globally and drove higher prices for commodities such as iron ore – this in turn supported the Australian share market in particular, which gained 6%.
The US Government is now open for business again after the longest shut-down in US history. President Trump shut a good portion of the government down over funding for his wall.
US – China Trade Talks. Early indications are that good progress has been made towards an overall trade agreement acceptable to both countries.
The US Central Bank also gave indications that they now have some flexibility regarding their interest rate hikes, acknowledge the recent slowdown and are happy to take a wait and see approach for the moment. Share-markets really liked this.
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Do You Have a Toxic Relationship with the Phrase “Treat Yourself”?
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One small indulgence leads to another, and before you know it, the lines between self-care and overspending blur. You might walk away from the register with a bag in hand but a sinking feeling in your stomach. Sound familiar?
Scroogenomics at Christmas: Finding Joy Beyond ‘The Extravagance’
Gazing through the dimly lit windows of his modest office, Ebenezer Scrooge pondered the modern-day Christmas, “Ah, Christmas – each December, a tide of frivolity sweeps the world, with consumers collectively parting with an estimated $1 trillion globally on holiday spending.”
Reflecting on this, the Scroogenomist wonders, “What if Christmas were not marked by gaudy extravagance, but by acts of kindness? A season where gifts are not measured by their price tags, but by the care and thoughtfulness behind them. A handmade scarf, a heartfelt letter, or simply the gift of time – all these carry more value than gold. How uplifting it would be if people prioritized what truly matters: love, compassion, and the joy of giving.”