$US breaking down, $A breaking higher

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Key points The $A is continuing to push further above parity against the $US, reaching a 29 year high. This reflects a combination of strong commodity prices, $US weakness and

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Rising oil prices – what is the tipping point for growth?

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Key points Global oil prices remain under upward pressure from turmoil in the Middle East and North Africa. This will dampen global growth and add to the financial pressure on

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The likely economic/financial impact of Japan’s earthquake

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Key points The Japanese earthquake has caused terrible human suffering. In terms of the economic impact, in the short term it will likely depress Japan’s economy as a result of

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Weekly market & economic update – 18 February 2011

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Headline developments of the past week There was good news out of China with January inflation coming in lower than expected owing to a lower than expected rise in food

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Where are we in the investment cycle for shares?

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Key points While mainstream global shares may be due for a short term correction, the cyclical recovery still has further to go. Shares are still cheap, confidence in the sustainability

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Weekly market & economic update – 11 February 2011

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Headline developments of the past week China continued to tighten the monetary screws with another interest rates hike. This should not really have been a surprise to anyone and further

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Weekly market & economic update – 4 February 2010

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Headline developments Nature continued to wreak havoc in Australia, with Cyclone Yasi smashing into North Queensland as a category 5 storm (the highest they get) leaving a trail of devastation.

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The threat of inflation in Asian & emerging markets

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Key points Rising inflation is becoming a major concern in Asia and other emerging countries. So far it’s largely due to higher food prices. Non-food inflation remains reasonably benign. However,

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Weekly market & economic update 28 January 2011

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Headline developments The Australian Government announced that it needs around $5.6bn to help rebuild flood affected areas and that it will source $1.8bn of this from a temporary levy on

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Why are Australian shares lagging? Will it continue?

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Key points Australian shares have disappointingly underperformed traditional global shares over the last year on the back of monetary tightening, worries about a housing bubble, the strong $A and Chinese

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