It’s been a difficult few years for prospective homeowners. Just when borrowing costs started falling in 2020, prices rose sharply and offset any extra spending capacity buyers had. When the dust settled and prices started coming back to earth, mortgage rates had started to rise rapidly. They didn’t go as high as during the GFC-era…

Looking ahead, this week is shaping up as a very busy one with some extremely important events taking place across markets. The Federal Reserve decision in the US will be the highlight, with the first interest rate cut of this cycle (and the first in more than four years) looming. While a 0.25% cut seems…

Talk of a capital gains tax (CGT) is back in the headlines. It cropped up early in the year, as part of a Treasury briefing to incoming Minster of Finance Nicola Willis. Among other things, Treasury noted our reliance on personal taxes and pointed to the lack of a comprehensive CGT. Recent reports suggest it’s…

Inflation will be in focus in the US this week, with the August consumer price index due on Wednesday. The annual rate of increase fell below 3.0% for the first time in three years last month, and markets will be hoping for another moderation ahead of next week’s Federal Reserve meeting. Markets are expecting the…

It’s been a very busy year for the US sharemarket. The S&P has rallied another 15% in 2024, but we’ve seen a bit of volatility creep in of late as some of the AI-related higher growth companies have come under pressure. We’re also on the cusp of the first rate cut this cycle from the…

Interest rates are headed lower, which will take the pressure off household budgets and give borrowers a reprieve. The bad news is that they might not fall quite as much as some are hoping. With the first rate cut under its belt, the Reserve Bank has several more in the pipeline. Its projections suggest the…

It’ll be a holiday-shortened week in the US with markets closed for the Labor Day holiday on Monday. However, there will still be plenty to monitor, with the latest ISM indices (for both the manufacturing and services sectors) due as well as the monthly jobs report. Closer to home, it’ll be a quieter week on…

Another New Zealand company results season is now in the rear-view mirror. This has certainly been one of the more challenging ones in terms of earnings performance across the board. Likewise, outlook statements have been generally cautious given the economic backdrop continues to be challenging. With one Official Cash Rate (OCR) cut having already occurred,…

Gold has been one of the best performing assets these last two years, rising more than 40 per cent and even outpacing the S&P 500 index in the US. Long regarded as a safe-haven asset, it is traditionally favoured by those worried about the health of the global economy and financial system. However, gold has…

You’ve worked hard, invested wisely and taken a few calculated risks. Having done well for yourself, you want to give something back to your community. For those who want to use their will to do good in a strategic and long-lasting way, the Community Foundation model is worth a look. Community Foundations are local, independent…