Market & Portfolio Update – September 2024
The US equity markets ended the month +0.1%, ending the quarter up +1.8%. During September, the US Federal Reserve followed many other central banks and cut interest rates. Growing confidence that inflation is heading to 2% has allowed many central banks to reduce interest rates in the past few months.
China cut interest rates and signalled that it would follow up with additional stimulus aimed at stabilising its property sector and spurring consumer spending. The Chinese share market and many global companies exposed to the Chinese economy rose after the stimulus announcement.
The New Zealand Stock Exchange (NZX) had a busy month with two large listed companies announcing substantial capital raises. Fletcher Building announced a $700 million equity raise to help manage its debt. Meanwhile, Auckland International Airport announced a $1.4 billion capital raise to support the construction of its new domestic jet terminal, making it the largest equity raise in NZX history.
Finding Your Financial Ikigai: The Japanese Art of a Balanced & Purposeful Life
In a world that often measures success in financial terms, the Japanese concept of Ikigai offers a refreshing perspective. Transcending the boundaries of culture and geography, this philosophy loosely translates as "a reason for being". Ikigai is a convergence of what you love, what you're good at, what the world needs, and what you can be paid for. It's an approach that represents a broader view of prosperity, encompassing joy, purpose, and contentment. As financial advisers, we find this particularly compelling. This article delves deeper into how Ikigai can not only enrich your life but also inform your financial decisions for a more fulfilling journey.
Lifetime Book Club: Intentional by Chris Bailey
In a world full of distractions, half-finished to-do lists, and “I’ll get to that later” energy, this book feels like a helpful nudge back to what really matters.
It’s not about doing more for the sake of it. It’s about doing the right things, with more purpose, more clarity, and a little less chaos.