Market & Portfolio Update - October 2022
October provided a much needed reprieve for global share markets, rising 7.2% (in local currency terms). The month saw a number of companies report their latest earnings numbers, which at a broad level, were better than expected.
The NZ share market ended the month up 2.5%. Performance of the listed travel-related companies was particularly strong, with Tourism Holdings and Auckland International Airport up 32% and 7%, respectively. During the month, both companies upgraded their profit guidance due to increased certainty on revenues and tourism numbers.
The latest data shows New Zealand’s annual inflation rate to the end of September was 7.2%. This was a slight moderation from 7.3% in June but remains well above the RBNZ’s 1-3% target. Market expectations are now for the RBNZ to progressively raise the OCR to around 5% by May next year (currently 3.5%).
KiwiSaver is changing
Budget 2025 has introduced some significant updates to KiwiSaver. These changes are aimed at ensuring the scheme remains sustainable while helping New Zealanders grow their retirement savings. Whether you are just starting out, nearing retirement, or somewhere in between, here's what you need to know and how it might affect your financial plans.
Lifetime Book Club: Four Thousand Weeks by Oliver Burkeman
In a world obsessed with productivity hacks, endless to-do lists and squeezing more out of every day, Burkeman offers something radical: acceptance. Not of defeat – but of reality. Because when you really look at it, four thousand weeks (roughly 80 years) is all we’ve got. And no app or bullet journal is going to give us more.