Global and local market outlook positive but COVID-19 uncertainty remains

From

The first half of 2022 will continue to be an uncertain time for markets as the full impact of the Omicron variant makes its mark on the Australian economy –

continue reading

Reserve Bank of Australia board meeting commentary

From

The RBA Board meeting on Tuesday is unlikely to elicit much by way of policy announcements or even changes to the policy roadmap. That will come at the next meeting

continue reading

Omicron more a ‘tactical’ than ‘strategic’ consideration

From

Powell pivot sees “taper tantrum” or is it “rate rise reflux”? Omicron more a “tactical” than “strategic” consideration at this point. This year the big themes in markets when it

continue reading

Stephen Miller on the Fed, the RBA and the BoE

From

FOMC announces taper Fed Chair “patient” on policy rate increase but will act if necessary. Inflation still “largely” seen as transitory but the FOMC Statement indicates less certainty on that.

continue reading

RBA Board maintains settings

From

There were no real surprises from the RBA Board meeting today with the Governor’s Statement reaffirming that the Board is sticking with the settings outlined in September. Today’s statement preserves

continue reading

Bond yields on the rise: implications for multi asset portfolio construction

From

Central banks sticking to a benign inflation view. Bond markets are nervous but accepting…for the time being Key central bank chiefs speaking overnight at the ECB virtual Sintra Conference (the

continue reading

Positive surprise for June quarter GDP; however, no bearing on Tuesday’s RBA Meeting

From

Yesterday’s GDP numbers for the June quarter confounded the expectations of economists in registering a reasonably healthy 0.7% increase for the quarter, largely on the back of strength in both private

continue reading

Australian wage growth remains subdued underscoring importance of RBA “flexibility”

From

The June wage price index fell slightly short of market expectations coming in at annual increase of 1.7% compared with a market consensus forecast of 1.9%. Having said that, the

continue reading

RBA August Board Meeting: Caged doves?

From

In somewhat of a surprise decision, the RBA Board today persisted with the July meeting decision to taper bond purchases from September. The Board seemed to place a lot of

continue reading

Pockets of opportunity provide good prospects for global bonds and equities

From

The COVID-19 pandemic recovery remains non-linear across developed and emerging economies leading to a patchy outlook for bond and equity markets, but pockets of opportunity remain, according to GSFM and

continue reading