Market & Portfolio Update - September 2022
September was another volatile month for global financial markets, as central banks reiterated how far they are willing to go to get inflation back to long-term target levels. For example, in the US, this caused interest rates on bonds to rise by around 0.70%, weighing on the returns of bond investments. Share markets were also volatile, as investors came to grips with higher interest rates and slowing economic growth.
While volatility like this can be unnerving for investors, financial markets experience these kinds of events from time to time.
The New Zealand dollar tends to fall during periods when financial markets are volatile, supporting the value of unhedged overseas investments. This is exactly what has happened this time, with the falling New Zealand dollar resulting in unhedged global share investments performing 15% better over the past 12 months than if the foreign currency was hedged or locked in.
Lifetime Book Club: Happy Mind, Happy Life by Dr Rangan Chatterjee
Sometimes the biggest changes come from the smallest habits.
That’s the core idea behind Happy Mind, Happy Life by Dr Rangan Chatterjee.
In a world full of life hacks, wellness trends, and pressure to “optimise” everything, this book feels refreshingly human.
It’s not about perfection. It’s about feeling better, thinking clearer, and creating a life that feels a little lighter, one small step at a time.
Market & Portfolio Update: April 2026
Global share markets rebounded strongly in April, despite continued geopolitical uncertainty. US share markets recovered sharply from earlier losses, with the S&P 500 recording one of its strongest monthly gains in several years. The rebound came as investors reassessed the likelihood of more severe outcomes from the Middle East conflict and refocused on company earnings and longer‑term growth prospects.