InvestNow Market Wrap-Up: September 2025

Welcoming Tom Deacon, Assistant Portfolio Manager at Mint, as this month’s guest author of the InvestNow Market Wrap-Up.

Rates Divergence, Parabolic AI, and U.S. Policy

Markets Snapshot

September was a mixed month for global markets. U.S. equities extended their run with the S&P 500 up ~3.6% as investors saw a relatively robust economy supported by dominant AI. Europe gained modestly, while Japan and emerging markets paused after strong prior months. Australia went the other way – the S&P/ASX 200 fell […]

InvestNow Market Wrap-Up: August 2025

Welcoming back Greg Smith, Investment Specialist, at Generate, as this month’s guest author of the InvestNow Market Wrap-Up.

Up in the clouds

Global equities rose strongly in August, led by the US markets. The S&P 500 gained 1.9% and the Nasdaq 1.6%, both reaching record highs (and pushing further into blue sky territory in September). Optimism was driven by a robust US earnings season, upbeat guidance, and ongoing enthusiasm for […]

InvestNow Market Wrap-Up: July 2025

Welcoming back Greg Fleming, Head of Global Diversified Funds at SALT Funds Management, as this month’s guest author of the InvestNow Market Wrap-Up.

“Hotter than July?” 

The second half of 2025 got underway with a remarkable degree of unconcern, considering the continuing lack of clarity on many crucial global economic and market influences. In equity markets, which had recovered in the June quarter after the extremely volatile start to the year, the tone was not so […]

InvestNow Market Wrap-Up: June 2025

Introducing Tim Chesterfield, Director & Portfolio Manager (Castle Point) and CIO (PG Group), this month’s guest author of the InvestNow Market Wrap-Up.

The global economy continues to wrestle with significant headline challenges that include geopolitical tensions, trade disruptions, and fiscal sustainability concerns. However, despite these headwinds, cautious optimism remains, with a mid-cycle slowdown rather than a full-blown recession being the consensus. Central banks worldwide are ready to respond to economic malaise and, perhaps, shocks with […]

InvestNow Market Wrap-Up: May 2025

Introducing Mugunthan Siva, Co-Founder & CIO at India Avenue, this month’s guest author of the InvestNow Market Wrap-Up.

Indian Equity Markets in May & Outlook for 2025

The month of May 2025 was an eventful month for Indian equity markets, marked by increasing foreign investor interest and specific sectoral trends playing out in the face of geopolitical events and policy changes. Of note, was a steep fall on May 9th as the India-Pakistan conflict appeared to […]

InvestNow Market Wrap-Up: April 2025

Introducing Padraig Brown, Chief Investment Officer at Mercer (N.Z.) Limited (Mercer), this month’s guest author of the InvestNow Market Wrap-Up.

Introduction

The start of 2025 has been marked by considerable economic, geopolitical, and market instability in the United States. A combination of slowing economic indicators, escalating global tensions, and rising policy uncertainty has led to a reversal of the equity strength seen following Trump’s election win. This has resulted in heightened market volatility, declining US Treasury […]

InvestNow Market Wrap-Up: March 2025

Introducing Stuart Millar, Chief Investment Officer at Smartshares Ltd (Smart), this month’s guest author of the InvestNow Market Wrap-Up.

Before we dive into the March 2025 Market Wrap Up, we just wanted to acknowledge the significant market volatility we have seen so far in early April, which has certainly tested investors’ resolve with global markets experiencing their sharpest decline since the pandemic era.

A sudden escalation in global trade tensions—headlined by sweeping U.S. tariffs—triggered the sharpest […]

InvestNow Market Wrap-Up: February 2025

Introducing Ashley Gardyne, Chief Investment Officer, at Fisher Funds, this month’s guest author of the InvestNow Market Wrap-Up.

As geopolitical tensions fray, investment opportunities may start to appear.

While broad global market indices fell only mildly in February, significant shifts took place beneath the surface. Geopolitical risks resurfaced, post-election sector winners reversed course, and investors reassessed growth expectations against stretched valuations. This market slide has accelerated in March, and the sharp divergence we are […]

InvestNow Market Wrap-Up: January 2025

Introducing Mike Taylor, Founder/CIO at Pie Funds, this month’s guest author of the InvestNow Market Wrap-Up.

Beyond the Magnificent 7: Is 2025 the Year of Market Expansion?

The fast and the furious! 2025 has kicked off at a whirlwind pace, with an influx of news and developments keeping investors on their toes. From trade wars to artificial intelligence breakthroughs, tariffs to geopolitical tensions, January has delivered much to digest. The most headline-grabbing of these […]

InvestNow Market Wrap-Up: November 2024

Introducing Dave Tyrer, COO at Squirrel, this month’s guest author of the InvestNow Market Wrap-Up.

According to the Oxford Dictionary, “brain rot” is the official 2024 word of the year—but if you ask me, I think it might just be “volatility”.

Most markets and asset classes have seen larger-than-usual movements (both positive and negative) in November—with the US elections certainly being a major disruptive force.

Here’s what’s been happening.

Cash

NZ’s Official Cash Rate dropped 0.50% on […]