Market & Portfolio Update - April 2019
Market & Portfolio Update - April 2019
April saw global share markets continue the strong performance that we have seen so far this year. Global markets have now returned an impressive 17% since the start of the year, having now recovered from the volatility we saw towards the end of the 2018.
Europe was the strongest performing of the developed markets, benefiting from stronger than expected GDP growth. GDP for the Euro bloc was up 0.4% for the first quarter of 2019, a growth rate faster than what we saw in the second half of last year.
Towards the end of March, the Reserve Bank of New Zealand announced that the next change in the Official Cash Rate was likely to be down, catching many in the market by surprise. The update caused interest rates across the range of maturities to fall along with the New Zealand Dollar. The fall in the NZ Dollar helps NZ’s export sector along with investors like yourselves with overseas assets that are now worth more as a result.
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. This document is solely for the use of the party to whom it is provided.
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.
Market & Portfolio Update - October 2025
The global share market (represented by the MSCI World Gross Index) was up +3.5% in NZ dollar terms in October. The relatively strong month was underpinned by signs of easing trade tensions between the US and China and another solid US corporate earnings season.