New Zealand Equity Monthly August 2024
By Michael Sherrock, Head of Equities, Nikko AM
Global markets have been volatile amid changing interest rate cut expectations
Global equity markets showed significant volatility in recent months as they reacted aggressively to comments from central banks and economic data amid anticipation over interest rate cuts. At the same time, economists and forecasters were proactive in responding to changing data by adjusting the timing and size of their rate cut expectations, thereby contributing to further market movements. One notable example is the US market, which whipsawed on contrasting economic data as market participants searched for signs of the likely timing and pace of rate cuts by the Federal Reserve. The Reserve Bank of Australia (RBA) was a significant outlier in this environment. In its latest monetary policy statement (dated 6 August), the RBA left its cash target rate on hold at 4.35% and indicated that Australia is unlikely to see rate cuts in the near future, citing above-target inflation and uncertainty in the economic outlook.
RBNZ already on looser monetary policy track with August rate cut
Click the button below to subscribe and will have free unlimited access for a limited time to full article and all other articles on the site.
You will also be able to comment on articles on Good Returns.