It’ll be a holiday-shortened week with markets closed on Monday in the US and UK. The key global release will be the PCE inflation report in the US, where the headline is expected to rise at an annual rate of 3.8%, the highest since May 2023. Inflation will be in focus across the Tasman, with…

The US sharemarket has had a great run of late, rebounding strongly from the March lows and hitting fresh highs. The S&P 500 is up almost ten per cent in 2026 (including dividends), and we’re only a third of the way through the year. That’s impressive, especially given the volatility we’ve seen lately. If you…

The Reserve Bank meets later this month, and there’s an outside chance the Official Cash Rate (OCR) will rise by 0.25 per cent. If there’s no move this month, the focus will shift to the July meeting, where markets see an 0.25 per cent move as almost certain. That would be the first hike in…

Inflation is always a hot topic in financial markets, and it’ll be even more prominent as fuel prices push it higher over the next quarter or two. There’s a healthy cynicism about our official inflation figures, and many people would argue their own cost of living has increased more than these would suggest. If you…

The S&P 500 index in the US has increased for four consecutive weeks, rebounding strongly from the weakness in March. That leaves it up 13 per cent from the recent lows, and almost three per cent above its pre-conflict peak. You could be forgiven for wondering why the sharemarket is hitting new records, with oil…

With the war between the US and Iran entering its seventh week, we’re close to an important crossroads for markets. In the last several days we’ve had a ceasefire agreement, the highest-level diplomatic meetings between the two nations since the 1979 Iranian revolution, and US moves to blockade the Strait of Hormuz after talks failed….

If you’re lucky enough to have a bit of surplus cash right now, it’s a difficult time to think about putting it to work. Many dairy farmers will be fortunate enough to be in that position, with the sale of Mainland Group to Lactalis expected to settle within days. The $4.2 billion proceeds from the…

The last month will have been disconcerting for investors, especially those new to financial markets. With the S&P 500 in the US falling for five consecutive weeks, the index is close to ten per cent below its recent highs. Those who entered the fray in late 2025 might be feeling slightly anxious. Some will be…

No need to panic. That was the clear message from Reserve Bank of New Zealand (RBNZ) Governor Dr Anna Breman this week. Despite an escalating situation in the Middle East and a rapid rise in oil prices, the RBNZ won’t rush into a knee-jerk response. That matters, because the latest global shock is already starting…

With the election less than eight months away now, investors are increasingly starting to think about what it means for the economy, asset prices and their portfolios. In the months ahead we should expect the campaign to heat up, and financial markets to begin factoring the likely outcomes into prices. Policy announcements will soon be…