Market & Portfolio Update - February 2019

Market & Portfolio Update - February 2019

Global share markets continued to rebound in February and have now recovered almost all of the decline we saw in the last three months of 2018. The Chinese share market was the standout performer, rebounding almost 14% after responding positively to stimulus provided by the Chinese Government. This also helped trade sentiment globally and drove higher prices for commodities such as iron ore – this in turn supported the Australian share market in particular, which gained 6%. 

The US Government is now open for business again after the longest shut-down in US history.  President Trump shut a good portion of the government down over funding for his wall.

US – China Trade Talks.  Early indications are that good progress has been made towards an overall trade agreement acceptable to both countries.

The US Central Bank also gave indications that they now have some flexibility regarding their interest rate hikes, acknowledge the recent slowdown and are happy to take a wait and see approach for the moment.  Share-markets really liked this.

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