Market & Portfolio Update - February 2023
After a strong rally to start the year, global share markets gave back some of their gains in February. Surprisingly strong economic data led investors to expect higher interest rates which weighed on equity valuations. The strength of the US labour market was particularly surprising, as the unemployment rate fell to a 53-year low of 3.4%.
The strong economic data and higher interest rate outlook saw the USD appreciate 4% against the NZD. This more than offset the decline in global share markets for New Zealand based investors.
As was widely expected, the Reserve Bank of New Zealand raised the OCR by 0.5% to 4.75%, marking the 10th consecutive increase in New Zealand’s benchmark interest rate. Current market expectations are for the OCR to peak at around 5.5% by mid-2023.
February was a busy month for New Zealand listed companies. Overall results were mixed, with some companies’ results disappointing and others beating expectations. Auckland International Airport’s results were particularly well received, with revenue up 130% since last year, fuelled by a robust recovery in international tourism.
Staying Cyber Smart
At Lifetime, looking after your financial wellbeing includes helping you stay safe online. Lately, we’ve seen an increase in online scam attempts across the financial sector here in New Zealand, so we thought this was a good time to share a few friendly reminders on how you can stay protected.
Lifetime Book Club: The Behaviour Gap by Carl Richards
Welcome back to the Lifetime Book Club, this month, we’re taking a closer look at the emotional side of investing with The Behaviour Gap by Carl Richards. It’s a smart, simple, and refreshingly honest book about the biggest threat to your financial success - you.