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2026 Q1 March Quarter Review
Read more: 2026 Q1 March Quarter ReviewEconomic Overview Global markets struggled across the board in Q1 for a clear reason, the beginning of the conflict in the Middle East, which led to a major disruption in global energy supply and some damage to middle eastern energy infrastructure. Weakness in US tech stocks, and tech stocks globally, also contributed to weakness across Q1. Japan and the UK were the outliers with positive returns for the quarter in the wake of February’s elections in Japan, and the UK benefiting from heavy energy exposure and a falling pound. Emerging markets fared better than many developed markets, with early gains…
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When Housing Stops
Read more: When Housing StopsIt’s been called Cold Australia, due to similarities in size and population density. Along with the fact it’s a former part of the British Empire, and still a Commonwealth country. The place that Donald Trump has been seriously, or not so seriously, threatening in recent times. Canada. Like Australia, it’s also been home to what’s considered (by some) to be a very overinflated housing market, until recently. More on that later, but this week, unlike Australia, Canada didn’t have an interest rate increase. The Bank of Canada held rates at 2.25%. Not particularly notable, but what was notable was the…
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2025 Q4 December Quarter Review
Read more: 2025 Q4 December Quarter ReviewEconomic Overview Global markets saw good gains in Q4 25, which topped off another positive year with many indices finishing 2025 near record or multi-year highs. It was also the first year in a while that US stocks were significantly outperformed by non-US stocks. There were various factors that saw the rest of the world outperform the US, more attractive valuations, a weaker US dollar, and a rotation away from US tech. All three contributed to higher gains in Europe, Asia and emerging markets. Overall, stockmarkets were supported by solid earnings growth coupled with easing inflationary pressures and ongoing expectations…
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2025 Q3 September Quarter Review
Read more: 2025 Q3 September Quarter ReviewEconomic Overview Global markets posted strong gains in Q3 2025, backed by continued demand for all things artificial intelligence and technology, while also underpinned by solid corporate earnings and a rate cut from the Federal Reserve in the US. A large variety of assets saw strong rallies, with credit, digital assets and commodities, particularly gold and silver, doing well. The quarter saw President Trump continue his attack on the US Federal Reserve. Back in April, he threatened to fire Fed chairman Jerome Powell (not in his powers). And in August, Fed Governor Lisa Cook was the next target, with the…
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2025 Q2 June Quarter Review
Read more: 2025 Q2 June Quarter ReviewEconomic Overview Tariff concerns initially ruled the roost in Q2 2025, before somewhat fading into the background. In contrast to Q1, there was a strong bounce for stockmarkets, as President Trump’s announced tariffs quickly became suspended tariffs. Again, raising the question, are President Trump’s tariffs actually about tariffs, or in some cases, are they leverage to secure other outcomes favourable to the US? The bluster and then delay of tariffs in some instances has prompted the acronym “TACO” (Trump Always Chickens Out), however some allies are starting to heed Trump’s calls for higher defence spending. While tariffs bubbled in the…
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