Market & Portfolio Update - January 2023
Global share markets got off to a strong start to the year, rising 6.5% in local currency terms. Investors were encouraged by a sixth consecutive monthly fall in US year-on-year inflation in December. At 6.5%, US inflation is still above target but is down meaningfully from its peak of 9.1% in June.
Encouraging news on inflation led investors to expect fewer interest rate hikes from central banks going forward. This supported the returns of bond markets. Global and New Zealand bond markets rose around 2% – quite decent returns when it comes to bond investments. These returns provided some reprieve for bond investors after higher interest rates have weighed on bond returns throughout much of 2022.
The Biggest Mistake Existing Property Investors Make
Are you asset-rich but cash-poor? This is very common for a lot of existing property investors who purchased before or during the last property boom and experienced significant gains in property values.
Using Your Home to Grow Your Wealth: How to Leverage Equity to Buy a Rental
You have worked hard to buy your home. Paid the mortgage, watched the value rise, and chipped away at the balance over time. Now you might be wondering: can this be the foundation for something more?
If you have built up equity in your home, the answer might be yes.