Global markets ended a choppy session lower overnight as investors digested the latest policy announcement from the US Federal Reserve. Shares pared gains as Jerome Powell spoke at his first news conference as chairman of the Fed. Stocks had initially ex
Quarterly NZ GDP data showed the NZ economy expanded 0.6% in the fourth quarter, falling short of expectations as hot weather hampered dairy production. The economy grew at a 2.9% annual pace, less than the 3.1% expected by analysts. The tepid result stem
Global markets were volatile on Friday as US stock recouped some losses, but were on track to end the week in the red as investors fretted over a possible global trade war following President Donald Trump’s promise to impose import tariffs on steel and al
The local earnings season continues this week with a number of Australian & NZ companies reporting profit figures. Last week was the biggest week for half-year profit reports in Australia and showed that earnings estimates for 2017-18 and 2018-19 are larg
It was a massive day of corporate profit announcements across Australia and NZ yesterday, as some companies beat market expectations while others missed. There were big moves across market darlings such as A2 Milk which jumped higher. On the flipside, ano
Global markets continued their wild ride on Friday, as shares on Wall Street swung between large gains and losses. The implosion of risk appetite is triggering a sell-off across different assets, as markets start to grapple with the end of easy money and
The greenback rallied and US Treasury yields spiked as it appears that inflation isn't dead after all, as evidenced by an unexpected 2.9% year over year lift in US wages, as reported in the January payrolls report. We have previously noted that interest r
With Wall Street at record highs, investors will eye a Federal Reserve meeting, and US President Donald Trump’s first State of the Union address this week. The US earnings season is now also in full-swing, with a number of high-profile corporate profit re
While a shutdown of the US government and uncertainly is rarely market-friendly, investors appeared too focused on earnings gains and the promise of tax-cut bolstered dividends versus the latest round of political brinkmanship. Looking historically, the m
It was a remarkable year for share markets in 2017, with major markets across the globe notching returns of around +20% for the year (for the year the US Market was up +19%, NZ Market +22%, AU Market +7%). What was more surprising than the strong returns
