March 2024 Quarter in Review
The March quarter saw the ASX200 close 306 points higher at 7,897 points, a 4% increase, extending the market run since November 2023. The Reserve Bank (RBA) held rates at 4.35% stating inflation control is the highest priority. While inflation is slowly returning to t
FirstWrap commentary – 31st March 2024
The March quarter saw the ASX200 close 306 points higher at 7,897 points, a 4% increase, extending the market run since November 2023. The Reserve Bank (RBA) held rates at 4.35% stating inflation control is the highest priority. While inflation i
FirstWrap commentary – 31st December 2023
The ASX200 closed 553 points higher, a 7.27% increase for the December quarter. With December alone accounting for the bulk of the increase of 515 points. The Reserve Bank (RBA) raised interest rates again in November to 4.35% conceding Austra
December Quarter in Review
The ASX200 closed 553 points higher, a 7.27% increase for the December quarter. With December alone accounting for the bulk of the increase of 515 points. The Reserve Bank (RBA) raised interest rates again in November to 4.35% conceding Australian inflation has peaked bu
The ASX200 closed 154 points lower falling 2.15% for the September quarter. The new Reserve Bank Governor, Michele Bullock, began her seven-year term in September. Governor Bullock in her first board meeting reiterated the bank’s commitment to do what is necessary to reduce inflation to 2-3% p.a. The August monthly inflation indicator continued trending lower
September Quarter in Review
The ASX200 closed 154 points lower falling 2.15% for the September quarter. The new Reserve Bank Governor, Michele Bullock, began her seven-year term in September. Governor Bullock in her first board meeting reiterated the bank’s commitment to do what is necessary to
June 2023 Quarter in Review
The ASX200 closed relatively flat for the quarter increasing 25 points or 0.36% to 7,203 for the June quarter. Interest rates remain a key focus for markets, with the Reserve Bank of Australia (RBA) announcing its second pause in interest rates after twelve rate increas
FirstWrap commentary – June 2023 Quarter
During the quarter the RBA increased the cash rate another 2 times by 0.25% in May and June. This took the RBA cash rate to 4.1%. Inflation remains a concern and will take some time to ease. Over the next 3 to 6 months there will be over 800,000 mortgages
FirstWrap commentary – March 2023 Quarter
During the quarter the RBA increased the cash rate another 2 times by 0.25% each time. This was the 10 consecutive rate increase from the RBA taking the cash rate to 3.6%. The April meeting saw rate remain on hold with no increase while the RBA looks for
March Quarter in Review
The ASX200 rose 1.98% closing at 7,178 for the March quarter. Interest rates remain a key focus in markets with the RBA pausing after a range of indicators suggest inflation may have peaked following ten consecutive interest rate increases. However, the RBA noted cost of li