Market & Portfolio Update - September 2020
Global share markets eased modestly in September, after performing very well since March. Markets were weighed down by investors locking in some profits from companies that have performed well in previous months. Examples include Apple in the US, and Fisher & Paykel Healthcare and a2 Milk in New Zealand.
Bond markets meanwhile were up 0.50% on average, as demand for ‘safe-haven assets’ rose. They were supported by comments from the US Federal Reserve that they will continue to support economic growth through a policy of low interest rates which directly benefit the price of bonds.
In general, investments have continued to perform well, despite the unfortunate circumstances that this year has brought. Stimulus from governments and central banks has helped support financial markets.
Lifetime Book Club: The Green Mile by Stephen King
Sometimes the most powerful stories aren’t the ones that scare us. They’re the ones that move us.
Stephen King might be best known for horror, but The Green Mile is a story of humanity, compassion, and courage in the face of unthinkable circumstances. Set in a 1930s prison, it follows Paul Edgecombe, a death row officer, and John Coffey, a man with extraordinary empathy and an inexplicable gift.
The Growing Divide: Why Private Medical Claims Are Surging in New Zealand
It feels like there is another headline about our public health system being under pressure every week. Long waitlists, staff shortages, and hospitals struggling to keep up. It is no surprise that more Kiwis are turning to private healthcare to get the treatment they need and faster.