At its meeting today, the Board decided to leave the cash rate unchanged at 1.50 per cent. Conditions in the global economy have improved over recent months. Both global trade and industrial production have picked up. Labour markets have tightened in many countries. Above-trend growth is expected in a number of advanced economies, although uncertainties remain. In…

In this update, Bob Cunneen, Senior Economist and Portfolio Specialist, talks about key events driving markets during February. He discusses: President Trump’s bold stimulus promises, the prospect of higher US interest rates and the political risks in Europe continuing to be the major themes driving markets US shares again reaching record highs in February economic…

Highlights: In February, global equity markets continued to trend higher boosted by optimism about US growth and reasonably good economic and corporate earnings data. In the United States, the Standard & Poor’s 500 equity index rose 4.0% over the month pushing its 12-month return to 25%. US business sentiment indicators rose further with small business…

In this update, Bob Cunneen, Senior Economist and Portfolio Specialist, reviews events in markets during January. He discusses: how US shares made record highs in January given President Trump’s promises of corporate tax cuts and infrastructure spending trade threats, the prospect of higher US interest rates and the political risks in Europe being key factors…

Highlights: In January, global equity markets continued to rise with the US share market making fresh record highs as investors continued to react positively to Donald Trump’s election as 45th President of the United States. In the United States, the Dow Jones Industrial Average Index closed above 20,000 for the first time. US manufacturing indicators…

At its meeting today, the Board decided to leave the cash rate unchanged at 1.50 per cent. Conditions in the global economy have improved over recent months. Business and consumer confidence have both picked up. Above-trend growth is expected in a number of advanced economies, although uncertainties remain. In China, growth was stronger over the…

In this update, Bob Cunneen, Senior Economist and Portfolio Specialist, reviews events in markets during December. He discusses: the major themes, which continued to be Trump’s promises of corporate tax cuts and infrastructure spending, as well as political risks in Europe how global shares made strong gains as US shares surged to record highs, and…

Highlights: In December global equity markets continued to make new highs as investors factored in stronger economic growth and higher corporate earnings in the United States following the US election in November. Oil prices rose 8.7% to US$53.75 per barrel (WTI) following the agreement by OPEC and several non-OPEC oil producing countries to cut production…

Highlights: In November equity markets were boosted by Donald Trump’s election victory as investors bet that his policies will be better for business and likely to lead to stronger US economic growth. Oil prices rose 5.5% to US$49.41 per barrel (WTI) after OPEC and some non-OPEC countries agreed to cut production. Chinese purchasing manager indices…