Global markets
It was another challenging week for global markets, not helped by a higher than expected U.S. inflation report and a concession by Fed chair Powell that he might not be able to stop the economy tumbling into recession. China’s harsh yet seemingly futile efforts to contain COVID via lockdowns is also unnerving sentiment,
Electric Vehicles: The road to disruption
At the intersection of technological innovation, demographic change and the transition to a zero-carbon economy, electric vehicles (EVs) will benefit from one of the strongest megatrends of the 21st Century. This article looks at the history of EVs and examines ways in which EV technology may impact the cities of the future.
Stewardship Highlights: AGL’s Proposed Demerger
BetaShares has been engaging with the Board of AGL Energy, and Mike Cannon-Brookes’ Grok Ventures, about the proposed AGL demerger. BetaShares Director – Responsible Investment, Greg Liddell, answers some questions about the upcoming shareholder vote.
Crypto equities vs cryptocurrencies: Is there room for both?
Reading time: 4 minutes
Bitcoin and Ethereum cryptocurrency ETFs are set to hit the Australian market as soon as tomorrow. With the markets as volatile as they are, and with more choice soon available for crypto-oriented investors, does it make sense to hold both crypto equities exposures and cryptocurrency exposures in the same portfolio?
A glimmer of hope?
Global markets
Such is the potentially oversold nature of global equity markets in at least the short-term, stocks managed to surge last week on the day the U.S. Federal Reserve delivered the widely expected 0.5% interest rate increase – merely because Fed chair Powell seemingly ruled out larger 0.75% rate increases at future meetings.
Market Trends: May 2022
Global equities – rate fears return
Global equity returns dropped back in April as fears of aggressive U.S. interest rate increases, China’s COVID-induced lockdowns and the ongoing war in Ukraine conspired to dent sentiment – despite still broadly solid global economic growth and corporate earnings.
The MSCI All Country return index declined by 6.5% in local currency terms after a rise of 2.6% in March.
Breaking point
Global Markets
Mixed earnings reports, hot U.S. wage and price inflation, and the prospect of an aggressive U.S. Fed rate hike conspired to send global equities lower again last week. Of course, we can add to this worrying mix, renewed concerns over China’s economy due its harsh lockdowns and the raging war in Ukraine.
5 ETFs for rising interest rates and inflation
Reading time: 4 minutes
Global inflationary pressures and interest rates have lifted notably so far this year thanks to strong demand and supply bottlenecks. Inflation appears likely to remain high and more central banks are looking to raise interest rates. This note considers five potentially attractive ETF investment ideas for a rising rate environment.
RBA to hike 0.15% next week
Global Markets
It was a familiar story last week, with global equities again under pressure from the onslaught of hawkish rhetoric from central bankers. The highlight was no less than U.S. Fed Chair Powell hinting at a 50 basis point rate hike at next week’s Fed meeting. Of course, the bond market has been pricing this risk for sometime (it is also pricing in a 50bps move in June),
Peak inflation?
Global Markets
Higher bond yields and oil prices caused global equities to remain on the defensive last week, with further hawkish talk from the Federal Reserve, OPEC stubbornness, ongoing Russia-Ukraine hostilities and uncomfortably high US inflation. One glimmer of hope was talk that U.S. inflation may at least have “peaked”.
Chicago Fed President Charles Evans joined the chorus of Fed speakers strongly hinting at a 0.5% U.S.