Market & Portfolio Update - July 2018
Market & Portfolio Update - July 2018
Share markets again rose moderately for the month, which saw investment fund returns resume their gradual upward path. Higher growth funds benefited more from good returns on shares in emerging markets, with Chinese shares now up 25% over the past six months.
While political posturing is heating up ahead of the New Zealand election, so far the likely effects for the NZ share market do not appear overly significant, and local shares have also continued to gain.
During July, Booster investment funds expanded their unlisted investments with the purchase of Waimea Estates, Nelson’s second-largest winery, and its associated vineyards. While still a relatively small part of overall portfolios, this further broadens their scope and provides a land-based investment at an attractive yield, as well the opportunity to grow Waimea’s established wine-making and marketing operations.
Disclaimer: This article has been prepared for the purpose of providing general information, without taking into consideration any particular investor’s objectives, financial situation or needs. Any opinions contained in it are held as at the report date and are subject to change without notice.
Market & Portfolio Update - November 2025
After very strong gains through the year, the global share market (represented by the MSCI World Gross Index) took a breather in November, returning 0.1% in NZ dollar terms. Although the longest US government shutdown, lasting 43 days, ended in the middle of the month, market uncertainty regarding the ambiguous data environment, the impact on growth and the progress of monetary policy weighed on investors.
Lifetime Book Club: Stolen Focus by Johann Hari
"The truth is, we are not losing our ability to focus because we are lazy or undisciplined. We are losing it because our attention has been stolen."
That is the central idea of Stolen Focus. This is not a typical productivity guide filled with tips to switch off notifications. It is a thoughtful, well-researched investigation into why so many of us are struggling to concentrate and what can be done about it.