Market & Portfolio Update - October 2023

14 November 2023 by Lifetime in Market Update

Market & Portfolio Update - October 2023

Global share markets declined 2.6% in local currency terms in October, as they were impacted by rising long-term bond yields. However, the NZ dollar also weakened by a similar amount, providing a significant offset for NZ-based investors.

The latest US economic manufacturing and employment data came in strong last month, demonstrating the ongoing resilience of the US economy. This economic resilience has been a key driver of the recent rise in bond yields, as investors anticipate interest rates will stay higher for longer.

Despite a lower-than-expected inflation figure, New Zealand’s bond yields followed global markets higher last month. New Zealand’s latest quarterly inflation report showed our annual inflation rate declining to 5.6%, which was lower than the Reserve Bank’s expectation of 6%. It is encouraging to see inflation trending in the right direction, but we still have a way to go until we reach the Reserve Bank’s desired target of 2%.

preview image - When One of Your Best Starts to Fade

When One of Your Best Starts to Fade

Presenteeism is costing New Zealand businesses far more than sick days ever will, not just in productivity, but in morale and long-term team wellbeing. Here’s what it looks like, why it’s happening, and what employers can do to meaningfully support their people.

6 August 2025 by Jonathan Lewis
preview image - Women, Money, and Control. Rewriting the Rules.

Women, Money, and Control. Rewriting the Rules.

While women now make up nearly half of New Zealand’s workforce and account for over 60% of university graduates, many still feel disconnected from their personal finances. Career success does not automatically translate to financial confidence, and too often, women are juggling high-pressure roles while also carrying the weight of outdated expectations and invisible responsibilities.