Market & Portfolio Update - June 2023
Global share markets had another strong month in June, rising 3.7% in New Zealand dollar terms. Investors were encouraged by a sharp drop in year-on-year inflation in the US of 4.0% - still above target but substantially lower than the 9.1% recorded in June 2022.
International bond markets were flat over the month as central banks transitioned from hiking their respective policy rates to pausing to evaluate incoming data. This is a signal that interest rates globally may be nearing their peak. The US Federal Reserve maintained their policy rate at 5.25%, the first pause after 10 consecutive hikes over the past 15 months. This should be supportive of bond returns looking forward.
The first half of the year has started off strongly for financial markets, regaining the lost ground they experienced in 2022. Global share markets have led the way, up 19% in New Zealand dollar terms. This highlights the importance of staying invested during volatile times and not focusing on news headlines which tend to focus on negatives.
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.
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.