Market & Portfolio Update - June 2021

9 July 2021 by Lifetime in Market Update

Market & Portfolio Update - June 2021

Returns on overseas investments were supported by the New Zealand dollar falling against most major currencies during the month. The US dollar strengthened by 4% in June after the Federal Reserve brought forward their expectation for hikes in the Fed Funds Rate from 2024 to 2023. Given the strength of the economic data so far this year, there is a possibility this could be brought forward again.

Global share markets were up over 2% for the month in their home currency terms, and almost 6% in NZD terms (due to the weaker NZ dollar). Pleasingly, both our active global share managers delivered significantly higher returns, with California-based Fisher investments, benefiting from their exposure to the technology sector.

The New Zealand and Australian share markets also produced solid returns for the month, although were both relatively quiet on the news front. Many of the higher growth companies were back in favour during June, with their valuations being supported by longer-term interest rates falling back a little after rising in the first part of the year. 

preview image - Using Your Home to Grow Your Wealth: How to Leverage Equity to Buy a Rental

Using Your Home to Grow Your Wealth: How to Leverage Equity to Buy a Rental

You have worked hard to buy your home. Paid the mortgage, watched the value rise, and chipped away at the balance over time. Now you might be wondering: can this be the foundation for something more?

If you have built up equity in your home, the answer might be yes.

13 August 2025 by Sarah Maclennan in Home Loans
preview image - Market & Portfolio Update - July 2025

Market & Portfolio Update - July 2025

The global share market (represented by the MSCI World Gross Index) was up +4.2% in NZ dollar terms in July as the Trump administration finalised several trade agreements, including with Vietnam, Japan and the EU. Although these new tariff rates are significantly higher than the average rate before Trump’s presidency, equity markets responded positively to the fact that the new agreements reduce the risk of an escalating trade war.

12 August 2025 by Lifetime