Market & Portfolio Update - January 2022
The latest Consumer Price Index (CPI) figures show high inflation in major economies across the globe. They reached 7% in the US for 2021, the highest since 1982, they reached 5.9% in NZ, the highest since 1990, and they reached 5.4% in the UK, the highest since 1992. This high inflation is one reason for the central banks interest rate hikes, as higher rates help to counteract inflation.
The USA, UK, Australia, and Spain (among others) have all seen daily recorded covid cases peak and start to fall back in January. While we hope this brings us closer to the end of the pandemic as the virus runs its course, we are watchful as to what this will mean for NZ in the next few months.
You can read more on the current investment market with our recent article A Choppy Start To 2022.
Market & Portfolio Update: February 2026
The global share market (represented by the MSCI World Gross Index) returned +1.4% in New Zealand dollar terms, despite many listed software companies facing pressure during the month. Investors are questioning how durable some software companies’ competitive advantages really are, as developments in artificial intelligence (AI) may make it easier to replicate their software. Nonetheless, the broader market tone was more resilient as investors continued to favour industries related to AI infrastructure.
Lifetime Book Club: The Almanack of Naval Ravikant by Eric Jorgenson
In a world that often confuses busyness with success and income with wealth, this book offers a different perspective. One that suggests true wealth is freedom. Freedom over your time. Freedom over your decisions. Freedom to live life on your own terms.