Fund Manager News

Market Commentary As 2019 drew to a close, a common discussion around market participants was the continuing issue of low interest rates, and in particular what this means for investors and markets.  Clearly, low interest rates mean reduced returns on cash assets, in addition it also resulted in relatively low coupons for bond investors, and…

Key highlights from the quarter were: Global share markets made impressive gains returning 7.5% in hedged NZD terms. NZ share market was stronger for the period and hitting further record highs. Listed infrastructure stocks got caught up in the broader rally in global share markets we saw over the period. Global shares Global share markets…

Investing for a Circular Economy In July 2019, the New Zealand Government banned the use of single-use plastic shopping bags, with the intention of reducing the amount of plastic in our environment. The introduction of this policy puts New Zealand amongst the club of 120+ countries with some form of regulation on plastic bags. Globally,…

10th Jan 2020 Key points Risks of an escalation in trade conflict and a disorderly Brexit subsided in December, boosting equity markets further. The improved sentiment was somewhat dampened by rising geopolitical uncertainty in the Middle East. Activity indicators were stronger in December, with a further recovery in New Zealand confidence. The US manufacturing sector…

10th Jan 2020 Global markets have been extremely strong since October, coinciding with the US Federal Reserve once more expanding its balance sheet (or ‘printing money’). While liquidity is being pumped into the system equities perform well, but there are near record-low returns for other asset classes such as property and bonds.  Australasian fund summaries …

Looking back to go forward Reasons for (cautious) optimism What a difference a year makes. This time last year markets had been battered by a sharp downturn, creating recession fears. Brexit and trade wars added noise and turbulence. A year on, earnings have proved resilient, trade wars look to be edging toward resolution with a…

10th Jan 2020 - Greg Fleming - Head of Investment Strategy Having enjoyed an exceptionally-strong December month’s returns – a classic “Santa Claus rally” – investors returned to the unsettling news that on 2 January, the key military figure in the Iranian regime, General Qasem Soleimani and important Iran-linked militia leaders in Iraq has been killed by…

Fund Updates and Commentaries: Managed Funds Highs and Lows Australian Growth Fund Income Fund International Growth Fund New Zealand Growth Fund Property and Infrastructure Fund

Frank Jasper - Chief Investment Officer - 09 January, 2020 It was a wonderful year to be an investor. Markets were strong. A number of individual companies were even stronger, enabling well-positioned investors to generate meaningful returns. As I look back on the year there are successes to celebrate, lessons to learn and themes that we all…

Market overview Global share markets rose in December while global bond yields drifted higher as geopolitical risk appeared to recede a little. The trade truce between the USA and China continued with both parties making positive comments about a Phase One agreement due for signing in January; while Boris Johnson’s conservatives won a decisive victory…

Ethical Investing in Focus Drought, fires, smoke-filled skies and record high temperatures are a wake-up call to the world about the importance of tackling climate emergency. Growth in sustainable and responsible investing is expected to quicken in 2020 as the bushfires disaster encourages more people to seek funds that support environmental and social change. Companies…