Geopolitically, there is a lot going on. European leaders supporting the Ukraine throughout Trump and Putin’s negotiations and hope for a ceasefire in Gaza. Sadly, there is little resolution on either front at this point. Corporate reporting season is in full swing both here and in the US. Strong US earnings, even with mixed signals on jobs and inflation, have … Read more
Anyone following the headlines knows Perth property is running hot. Record price growth and homes selling in days are the standard story. But if you look past the city-wide median price, a more complex and fascinating picture emerges. Right now, there isn’t just one Perth market. There are at least … Read more
There is still little clarity on the geopolitical front. The S&P 500 hit another all-time high and closed above 6,300 for the first time yesterday. Sell signals are starting to flash as valuations are stretched (26 times forward earnings!). Having successfully sold a business to a NASDAQ-listed company in 1998, I … Read more
The Reserve Bank of Australia (RBA) has chosen to keep the cash rate on hold at 3.85 per cent in its July meeting, defying widespread market expectations of a rate cut. With global trade tensions easing slightly and domestic inflation showing signs of stabilisation, the central bank appears to be … Read more
The S&P/ASX 200 hit a fresh intraday record this morning at 8639.1 on encouraging news of a trade truce between the US and China. Trump now seems focused on the Art of Distraction over the Art of the Deal. The Aussie dollar is now at US .651c (up 8% since April) and … Read more
Anti-incumbent sentiment has seen the leadership of the world’s richest economies in turmoil. After France, came the collapse of the German government. Both Canada and South Korea are in turmoil. Italy, of all places, looks stable. Go figure! Geopolitical tensions in the Middle East are continuing with the initial joy over the freedom … Read more
With all the goodwill around the world, there is sadly little relief in sight in the Middle East and Ukraine right now. The US election result has produced a “Trump Rally” on markets, with the S&P 500 hitting new all-time high on Tuesday and recording +25.34% year to date. The NASDAQ … Read more
The “Axis of ill will”, as “The Australian” is calling the authoritarian leaders of China, Russia, North Korea and Iran, have been making the headlines for all the wrong reasons. North Korean troops are on the ground in Russia. I didn’t see that one coming! Rising geopolitical tension led to investors flocking … Read more
Geopolitical tensions in the Middle East and Europe continue, and much of the world’s shipping is now redirected through the Suez Canal, which is increasing costs (i.e. inflationary!). China’s more modest-than-expected stimulus plans announced Tuesday saw the Iron Ore price retreat, with futures now trading at $US104 a tonne. Gold, considered a safe-haven … Read more
Geopolitical tensions have only intensified over the last few weeks plus trade friction is also a concern between China, Europe and the US. There has been a global market sell off with investors unsettled by rising interest rates in Japan and a weakening US economy as signalled by their rising unemployment rate … Read more