Market & Portfolio Update - March 2021

5 April 2021 by Lifetime in Market Update

Market & Portfolio Update - March 2021

For The Financial Year Ended 31 March 2021

The March market update reflects a theme of ongoing strength in global sharemarkets, but weakness in assets whose value is mainly driven by changes in long-term interest rates. Overall returns for the year ended March have been very strong, despite some recent drag on portfolios with high allocations to fixed interest securities (bonds). These have seen some weakness as long-term interest rates have risen, and a little softness in NZ shares lately.

The first quarter also saw the anniversary of the fastest market correction ever seen - during February and March 2020. The subsequent 12-month returns for many asset classes reflect the sharp recovery from those lows, providing a vivid reminder of the merits for a disciplined long-term investment approach.

Central banks and governments are committed to continuing their support for the global economic recovery for some time, thereby keeping short-term interest rates very low and fiscal policies expansionary. This provides investors with both unprecedented challenges and opportunities, “the risk is to search for yield in all the wrong places”. Financial research company DALBAR, has attempted to quantify the effects of poor behavior on investors’ long-term returns. According to their 2016 study, the average individual investor underperformed the broad share market by 2.89% over the past 20 years. The lesson of course is to work with an Adviser who understands your goals and can keep you on track.

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