Investment markets performed strongly during March, with Australian and international shares each rising over 3% for the month and yield-sensitive sectors (including Australian REITs, up 9.6%) performing very strongly. US Fed Chairman Jerome Powell acknowledged strength in the US economy and labour market while also noting that recent inflation readings have been in line with expectations.

Share markets gained in February, led by US technology stocks as NVIDIA’s earnings demonstrated huge AI-driven revenue growth. Bond yields rose (prices fell slightly) during the month as consumer inflation remains high and investment markets push-back the anticipated timing of cash rate cuts.

Share markets extended recent months’ gains in January, following a strong US GDP print and further signs that US and Australian inflation is weakening. Bond yields rose marginally after sharp declines in recent months, muting fixed interest returns.

Share markets surged in December following an indication from the US Federal Reserve that it expects to cut interest rates three times in 2024, as US economic and inflation data releases show signs of slowing.

Investment markets achieved strong returns in November, breaking a run of negative monthly returns. 

US inflation was near-zero for October, the US Federal Reserve hinted that its cash rate hiking cycle may have ended, and Australia’s October monthly inflation came in below expectations, leading some market participants to conclude that Australia may also have seen its last rate rise in the current cycle.

The Pro-D funds declined in value during October, with most underlying holdings falling in price during the month.

Investment markets, and the portfolios, were impacted by Hamas’ deadly attack on Israel, and the Israeli response in the Gaza Strip.

Investment markets struggled during the month of September, with bond yields rising, equity prices falling and yield-sensitive assets such as listed Real Estate Investment Trusts declining sharply. Against this backdrop the Funds declined during the month, with most underlying investments falling in value. 

Softer economic data pushed share markets lower during August. Partially offsetting this, bond yields fell slightly (adding to fixed interest returns) across much of the world, as most global central banks paused their interest rate hikes.

Most investment markets lost ground in May. The Australian share market declined (-2.4%) with Consumer Discretionary, Financials and Consumer Staples stocks impacted most.

Most investment markets lost ground in May. The Australian share market declined (-2.4%) with Consumer Discretionary, Financials and Consumer Staples stocks impacted most.

Most investment markets lost ground in May. The Australian share market declined (-2.4%) with Consumer Discretionary, Financials and Consumer Staples stocks impacted most.

Investment markets delivered mostly positive returns in April.

Markets were mixed in March as investors shifted their focus to the solvency and viability of the global Banking system and the implications for future global central bank monetary policy.

Volatility in investment markets continued in February as bond yields once again rose, negatively impacting the prices of both fixed interest and equities.

Equity markets surged in January, supported by falling bond yields resulting from lower-than-expected US inflation data, along with optimism regarding the rapid re-opening of the Chinese economy as it unwinds its COVID-19 restrictions.

Most investment markets were weaker in December as investors weighed significant developments.

Markets enjoyed a second consecutive month of strong gains in November, as lower-than-expected United States (US) and Australian inflation prints led investors to reconsider the pace of future interest rate hikes.

Investment markets performed strongly in October.  Australian shares gained around 6%, international share markets were slightly stronger, and yield-sensitive assets like listed Australian property stocks were stronger again.

In September most investment markets fell sharply. Investors were concerned about central bank action to combat persistent inflation, rising recession risk and European energy security uncertainty.

In August many investment markets experienced losses, exacerbated by a renewed commitment from Federal Reserve Chairman Jerome Powell to continue raising interest rates to combat inflation, which may “bring some pain to households and businesses”.