May was a relatively strong month for markets with the exception of emerging market equities, which retreated by more than 3% during the month. Emerging markets experienced significant outflows in May with over $12 billion in foreign investment exiting the sector. Outflows impacted both debt and equity markets, driven by country-specific issues along with broader geopolitical events, including ongoing concerns over a US-led trade war through to political uncertainly in Italy.

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The past couple of weeks in global financial markets have indeed been very volatile, especially when the perception has been that it was ‘perfect sailing conditions’.

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“Year’s end is neither an end nor a beginning, but a going on” and so it is as 2017 draws to a conclusion.

From our perspective at Financial Keys, 2017 has been a great year overall for investment returns and the subsequent growth of your portfolios. 

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For those movie buffs, you might recall the line from Matt Damon’s character in the movie Good Will Hunting after he secures the phone number of a young lady in a bar;

“Do you like apples? Well, I got her number. How do you like them apples?”

This line springs to mind when we take a look at the recent performance of several listed global companies (some of which you own in your portfolios), returns have been eye watering!

This is simply another reason to ensure that underlying valuations of the investments and/or fund managers we recommend to you are always questioned, prices are challenged, based on the available information. 

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We held our quarterly Asset Allocation Investment committee in September. As part of the committee process we assess the macro economic environment, the strength of the business cycle, asset valuations and sentiment. Over the past 12 months we have been defensively positioned in our asset allocation setting noting stretched asset valuations, improving but mixed economic data and uncertainty around process for the ‘normalisation’ of monetary policy around the globe.

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A day in the life of a financial adviser is never boring.

Things do ‘rev up’ a little in the lead up to Budget night and the last minute rush ahead of 30 June. Some of you may not be aware, but after the annual reporting period (August – November) where companies report their annual results and give an insight into the next six to twelve months; this is also a hive of activity.

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Another week and yet another big four bank making national headlines – a positive this week! The big four have indeed come under considerable media scrutiny over the last 12 – 24 months. Some of this is possibly warranted and some……well it sells newspapers.

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August 2017 represents the 10 year anniversary of the Global Financial Crisis.

Today, there remains several and varied concerns that Financial Keys considers as part of its overall investment research commitment. These include Geopolitical as well as simple home grown risks.

Today we catch up with AMP's Shane Oliver who gives us his thoughts on this faithful anniversary, what have we learnt and his view on the likelihood of this repeating itself.

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Another end of financial year has now passed us – we rest for the weekend, then back into it!

With a wave of new money coming into markets from last minute superannuation contributions ahead of a raft of new superannuation rules coming into effect from 1 July, it is timely to reflect on the past 12 months  and this tumultuous period and then take a look out for the next 6 – 12 months.

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But is the financial landscape changing sufficiently to allow property to take a well-deserved break from the headlines, at least here in Australia?

To help us with the question which is on the lips of millions of Australian’s, AMP’s Chief Economist, Shane Oliver, walks us through his current views.  

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Inflation appears to be back on the agenda, which highlights the extent to which things have changed compared to a year ago when talks of deflation and disinflation dominated discourse. Finally, no conference these days can be complete without pontificating on what a Trump presidency will bring from a geopolitical and economic standpoint. Is ‘up’ the new consensus?

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The start of each year ushers in a new series of opportunities, challenges and a continuation of past themes.

Calendar year 2017 will be no exception.

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The US election has come and gone, and despite markets getting the wobbles in the lead up to the election it has certainly been ‘risk on’ since the result. Are we experiencing a ‘Santa Claus rally’, or is this the start of something more structural?

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As the year 2016 draws to a close and the pace of life slows just a little, it is probably as good a time as any to reflect on some of the key market and non-market events that shaped the year.

Well 2016 was an interesting year, but perhaps every year is interesting!

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Since the global financial crisis 8 years ago we have been in a world where markets are heavily influenced by central bank policy. We have witnessed key central banks around the global undertake aggressive ‘unconventional monetary policy’, notably quantitative easing and rate cuts, whereby some countries are currently in negative rates territory. It is questionable whether this policy has stimulated real economic growth with measures such as the velocity of money (number of time a dollar is spent to buy goods and services) falling off a cliff and economic data being mixed as some countries grapple with deflation, while others seek to transition their economies away from exports to domestic consumption. 

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