Harbour Outlook: Trumps Liberation Day Tariffs Reshape Global Markets

April was dominated by President Trump's unexpected "Liberation Day" tariffs, which initially imposed 10% duties on most trading partners including Australia and New Zealand, with substantially higher tariffs of 125-145% on China.

 

Key market movements

Global equities were again lower in unhedged New Zealand dollar terms in April, with the MSCI All Country World Index (ACWI) declining 3.7%. With the NZD strengthening against the USD, returns in hedged terms were -0.4% for the month.

Locally, the New Zealand equity market continued its poor start to the year with the S&P/NZX 50 Gross Index...MORE»

Trade Walls, Profit Falls: NZX 50’s Tariff Exposure Unpacked Saturday, May 17th, 6:00AM The Trump administration’s tariff strategy is a hot topic in the investment world. At Mint, we’ve had our fair of discussions. To help you make sense of the nonsense, in this article, I provide a framework of tariff exposure for every NZX50 company. MORE»		Calming influences Wednesday, May 14th, 7:36AM April was another volatile month for financial markets, but one that in the end produced a relatively benign outcome for investors. Trade developments were front and centre, with the angst around “Liberation Day” replaced by relief as Donald Trump announced a 90-day pause for trading partners to negotiate trade deals. MORE»
Buffett announces his retirement; A Kiwi's view from Omaha Tuesday, May 6th, 4:55PM The Woodstock of Investing: Lessons from Warren Buffett’s final Berkshire Hathaway annual meeting. MORE»		Sky TV's Rights Negotiation goes into Extra Time Monday, April 28th, 12:19PM Price increases are never welcome but sometimes, on rare occasions, we can soften that blow by offsetting ourselves in the market. For instance, accepting a 12-14% insurance premium increase from your insurer Tower is a lot easier to digest when your Tower shares return over 120% in the same year. For the good of the shareholders, you start to say… MORE»

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KiwiSaver contribution rates to increase; Cuts to Govt contribution

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Generate KiwiSaver customers most satisfied

Boutique providers have taken out the top spots in Consumer New Zealand’s KiwiSaver survey with Generate awarded People’s Choice. MORE»

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KiwiSaver or KiwiTaxer? The changes high on adviser wishlists

There remains no real incentive for clients to direct extra contributions into KiwiSaver, so long as New Zealand is still a global outlier in its choice of tax structure around retirement savings, according to one financial advisory firm leader. MORE»

No lid on KiwiSaver fees as balances grow

As KiwiSaver balances continue to swell the scheme is becoming a cash cow for investment managers, prompting one industry observer to question why there is not more downward pressure on fees. MORE»

Lock-up vs liquid: why a KiwiSaver cornerstone could change

With confidence in KiwiSaver underpinned by members’ ability to switch funds types and providers at a drop of hat, just how that will marry with long-term investment in potentially illiquid private assets remains in question. MORE»