Market Insights

Looking for an insight into current market and business trends?

Market Forum provides an overview of the main drivers and issues behind market and business trends.

As a conduit between institutions and the advisor community we are well positioned to give you access to the latest ideas and information. You will find links to specific market and business insights. 

Click here to subscribe to regular updates

• Checklist for equity markets to continue to rally - Instreet Commentary and Opinion
  14.00 At the end of last year, we began discussing our views on how we thought the economy and market would pan out in 2013. Our headline prediction was that the ASX200 would r more (13 May 2013)
• Investing is hard work
  14.00 As if anyone needed reminding, we hav more (07 May 2013)
• Monthly update – April 2013
  14.00 Both bond and equity markets rallied during April on increased expectations of more supportive monetary policy. The Australian equity market was part of the trend with th more (06 May 2013)
• Checking in with Europe – Instreet (Video) Market & Economic opinion & commentary
  Checking in with Europe – Instreet Market & Economic opinion & commentary  more (30 April 2013)
• Structured products have been with us for a long time – and that’s because they provide certainty
  14.00 For many investors, and  more (30 April 2013)
• Checking in with Europe – Instreet Market & Economic opinion & commentary
  14.00 It’s been some time since we wrote about Europe, and with the ECB m more (29 April 2013)
• It's mixed weather as the US cools down and China warms up
   Instreet Market and Economic Commentary and OpinionAs the wea more (15 April 2013)
• Quarterly update – March 2013
  Improving economic data and ongoing efforts by central banks helped global equity markets continue their positive momentum during the quarter. Backed by strong price performance, most equity market more (05 April 2013)
• Market rally or mere folly – which side of the fence are you on?
   Instreet Market Commentary and OpinionLooking around the market, it is apparent that peop more (02 April 2013)
• Emerging markets miss out on global rally – Instreet market commentary & opinion
  The year has started strongly for developed equity markets as the ‘wall of money’ from investors and corporates, supported by loose monetary policy, keeps pushing indices higher. At some  more (18 March 2013)
• Waiting for a market pullback – how long have you got? (Video)
   more (10 March 2013)
• Monthly Update - February 2013
  Global equity markets traded flat to higher throughout February with the Australian equity market on the stronger side as the S&P/ASX 200 finished up +4.6% for the month.  In local currency  more (08 March 2013)
• Waiting for a market pullback – how long have you got? – Market & Economic commentary & opinion
  Whilst every man, woman and dog is looking for a pull back, the Australian market continued to rally through February, finishing strongly on highs around 5104 (S&P/ASX200). Volatility return more (04 March 2013)
• "Currency Wars" or phony wars – Instreet Market and Economic opinion and commentary
  As the US, Europe and Japan work to stimulate their economies with unconventional monetary policy, rerating of currencies has become a by-product of these policies. There could be global ramific more (18 February 2013)
• Wake up and smell the coffee (Video) - Instreet market and economic opinion and commentary
  Wake up and smell the coffee (Video) - Instreet market and economic opinion and commentary Tweet !function(d,s,id){var js,fjs=d.getElementsByTagName(s)[0];if(!d.getElementById(id)){js=d.createE more (12 February 2013)
• Monthly update – January 2013
   The Australian equity market delivered strong performance during January, with the S&P/ASX 200 up +4.9% for the month. In local currency terms, the domestic market was in line with average  more (05 February 2013)
• Wake up and smell the coffee – first third of market rally already over -– Instreet market opinion a
  By sitting and waiting for a market sell off at the back end of last year, many investors missed out on the first third of the current market rally. With investors heads now turned, we are expecting  more (03 February 2013)
• Rally to continue in 2013 – Instreet market opinion and commentary
  2013 won’t be a year without risk, but the equity market rally that stubbornly pushed through 2012 will continue.  With bond and cash yields on the decline, we expect investors to be lured more (21 January 2013)
• Market & Economic Quarterly update – December 2012
  The key theme for the fourth quarter of 2012 was improved global economic momentum, which combined with aggressive monetary support to drive the resilient performance of risk assets. This came despit more (09 January 2013)
• Brighter outlook for 2013 – Instreet market opinion and commentary
  With the end of 2012 just around the corner, we take a look at some of the major economic themes for 2013. Whilst current issues aren’t going to magically disappear when the clocks strike 12 on more (10 December 2012)
• Don't write off structured products
  Structured products often get a bad press, even when they have performed in line with expectations. But it’s not deserved. They can play a significant role in an investment portfolio, and smart more (06 December 2012)
• Monthly update – November 2012
  The Australian equity market finished November largely where it began, with the S&P/ASX 200 down -0.2% for the month. In local currency terms, the domestic market underperformed its global peers  more (05 December 2012)
• The Fiscal Cliff – Jump off or jump in? - Instreet market opinion and commentary
  2012 – The year that didn’t blow up‘Negativity’ has won out as the major theme for 2012. Concerns about Australian unemployment, Greece, Spain and a slowdown in China have all more (26 November 2012)
• US uncertain, whilst China looking positive – Instreet market opinion and commentary
  Leadership news has dominated the market these past weeks with President Obama re-elected for another term and China’s leadership change in motion. Much focus remains on the US, where markets a more (12 November 2012)
• Monthly update – October 2012
  The Australian equity market delivered its fifth consecutive month of gains returning +3.0% (based on the S&P/ASX 200) during October. In local currency terms, the domestic market outperformed it more (05 November 2012)
• Facing the fiscal cliff – Instreet market opinion and commentary
  The market is now well and truly focused on the United States where the much-discussed ‘fiscal cliff’ is fast approaching.  As the US Presidential election draws near, there is much  more (29 October 2012)
• Markets keep on climbing – Instreet market opinion and commentary
  Across the globe equity markets are rallying, driven by monetary stimulus and the expectation of improving growth. ·         European markets have been  more (15 October 2012)
• Quarterly Update September 2012
   Despite mixed economic data and growing concerns about global growth, equity markets recorded positive returns during the quarter driven by global central bank intervention and expected interve more (08 October 2012)
• US takes centre stage – Instreet market opinion and commentary
  As the October quarter kicks off, we expect the United States to take centre stage with a focus on US corporate earnings, the US presidential election and fiscal US policy (tax and expenditure cuts). more (01 October 2012)
• Europe – when will the troubles end? - Instreet market opinion and commentary
  This week’s post focuses on Europe, a topic still on everyone’s minds – what’s happening in Europe and is there a solution to the problem?  In our opinion, four policies  more (17 September 2012)
• Monthly update – August 2012
  The Australian equity market finished the month on a positive note (+1.1% based on the S&P/ASX 200), benefiting from speculation of potential monetary stimulus from global central banks. However, more (07 September 2012)
• September will reveal all - Instreet market opinion and commentary
  After a month of indecisiveness, September should bring answers to some burning questions:·         Will the equity market rally continue into the N more (03 September 2012)
• Australia’s unloved rally continues – Instreet market opinion and commentary
  An ‘unloved’ rally is taking place in Australia despite a weaker-than-expected earnings outlook and continued pessimism. We believe the rally could continue through to the early part of 2 more (20 August 2012)
• Markets up despite negative news - Instreet market opinion and commentary
  It’s hard to explain what happened in markets this past week with unexpected responses to events in Europe and the US. In both markets, the key theme from the Central Banks was that politicians more (06 August 2012)
• Monthly update - July 2012
  The Australian equity market gained ground during July, up +4.3% for the month (based on the S&P/ASX 200), driven by an improving growth-inflation balance. In local currency, the All Ordinaries ( more (03 August 2012)
• Quarterly update - June 2012
  The European debt crisis dominated the market this quarter, with investor concern compounded by mixed to weaker economic data out of the US and China. Whilst government bonds rallied through the quar more (09 July 2012)
• "Clowns to the left of me, jokers to the right" - Instreet market opinion and commentary
  It’s been another mixed couple of weeks for markets. Starting with Asia, the Bank of Japan is expected to announce an increase in its quantitative easing strategy this week, whilst we are predi more (09 July 2012)
• Global inflation and growth below expectations – Instreet market opinion and commentary
  A slew of recent data points illustrate two key trends in the global economy. First, inflation is lower than expected; and second, growth (except in Australia) is weaker than anticipated.Global infla more (25 June 2012)
• Media overplays volatility - Instreet market opinion and commentary
  Market events received unnecessarily negative news headlines last week giving the impression that economic conditions had deteriorated significantly. Fortunately, markets had the sense to see through more (12 June 2012)
• Monthly update - May 2012
  The Australian equity market experienced its worth month since May 2010, falling 7.3% during the month (based on the S&P/ASX 200). The All Ordinaries (-7.5%) underperformed the US S&P 500 (-6 more (04 June 2012)
• Markets weak at home and overseas - Instreet market opinion and commentary
  It’s been a disappointing two weeks in markets, both here and abroad. Whilst news out of China has been weaker than expected, stimulus measures should encourage growth in 2012. In turn, this sh more (28 May 2012)
• Australia budget a positive for markets, Europe continues to teeter - Instreet market opinion and co
  The Australian Federal Budget announced positive news for the Australian market whilst the situation in Europe remains volatile with Greece on edge. Positive response to the Federal BudgetAll th more (14 May 2012)
• Monthly Update - April
  The Australian equity market rallied in late April to finish up 1.4% for the month. In local currency, the All Ordinaries (+1.1%) outperformed the US S&P 500 (-0.7%), the World MSCI ex Australia  more (04 May 2012)
• Australia and the US hold firm - Instreet market opinion and commentary
  The Australian and US markets have held up well over the past couple of weeks despite negative news out of Europe and, in particular, Spain. US reporting season beats expectationsThe US market i more (30 April 2012)
• A repeat of 2011 - Instreet Opinion and Market Commentary
  The recent slump in global equity markets has prompted comparisons with 2011. However at this stage we don’t believe it will be a repeat of 2011.  Update on the USWe believe the US economy more (16 April 2012)
• Quarterly update – March 2012
  Markets globally performed strongly during the first quarter of 2012. We saw an improvement in investor risk appetite due to:  improving economic data from the US,continued support from central  more (09 April 2012)
• Instreet Opinion and Market Commentary – 2 April 2012
   Strong quarter for equity markets Global equity markets had a strong quarter:·         S&P500 up 12%·     &nbs more (03 April 2012)
• Instreet Opinion and Market Commentary - Outlook for 2nd Qrt 2012
  Outlook for the next quarterThe market has performed strongly during the third quarter. We expect this positive performance to continue over the next 6 months, however, as always, there will be setba more (19 March 2012)
• For financial advisors the need to be able to assess their clients’ risk is assuming far greater imp
  The financial services world as we knew it before the Global Financial Crisis has changed conclusively. This is evident in many ways, but three stand out. First and foremost, matching performanc more (11 March 2012)
• Monthly update – February 2012
  The Australian equity market continued with its positive momentum into February and generated a 2% total return. In local currency, the All Ordinaries (+1.4%) underperformed the US S&P 500 (+4.1% more (06 March 2012)
• Instreet Opinion and Market Commentary
  Instreet Opinion and Market Commentary – 5 March 2012  QE3 and the US Recent commentary from the Federal Reserve Chairman has reduced the possibility of a QE3 program in the US.Howeve more (06 March 2012)
• Instreet Opinion and Market Commentary
  Time to focus on AustraliaWe all spend a lot of time looking at the international environment but maybe it’s time to start concentrating on issues at home, the market is!.Overseas markets have  more (21 February 2012)
• Instreet Opinion and Market Commentary – 6 February 2012
  Will the market continue to rally? Recent USA market performance and economic indicators have both been positive but the big question is – will markets globally continue to rally?  Fi more (07 February 2012)
• Monthly update – January 2012
   The Australian equity market started the year strongly with a 5.2% total return in January. In local currency, the All Ordinaries (+5.2%) outperformed the US S&P 500 (+4.4%) and the World M more (06 February 2012)
• Quarterly update – December 2011
  During the last quarter of 2011 we saw relatively low market volumes across all asset classes as well as high market volatility and investor apathy. Investment themes continue to be dominated by the  more (17 January 2012)
• Instreet Market and Economic Outlook 2012
  Key trends for 2012We believe that market conditions during 2012 will be dominated by a few key trends: The global economy will continue to deleverage leading to less liquidity in the market.Inc more (05 January 2012)
• Instreet Market and Economic Opinion and Commentary
  Europe announcements not a game changer  In our opinion recent announcements from the European summit are not “game changers”.  We believe that initially there will be a positiv more (12 December 2011)
• Monthly update – November 2011
    Negative news flow from across the world saw global equity markets finishing November in the red. The main causes of negative returns were European risk as well as China’s slowing g more (04 December 2011)
• Instreet Market and Economic Opinion and Commentary
  Not a lot of good news out of Europe Anyone expecting a Christmas market rally may be disappointed as the news out of Europe continues worsen. It appears that the liquidity issue affecting Europ more (29 November 2011)
• Instreet Market and Economic Opinion and Commentary
  News from Europe continues to dominate Over the last month the situation in Europe has deteriorated. Overall the market has not viewed the rescue package kindly. Lending countries like Japan and more (14 November 2011)
• FOFA may make it hard for planners. But there are ways for advisors to still prosper.
  The Federal Government is convinced – the Future of Financial Advice (FOFA) reforms will make financial advice available to many Australians for the first time. A recent statement by the Assist more (02 November 2011)
• Instreet Market & Economic Opinion and Commentary
  Europe disappointingLast week Europe came to agreement on a three phases rescue package. In our view the package doesn’t do enough to address bank capitalisation - a better result would se more (31 October 2011)
• Market and Economic Commentary and Opinion
  Who will win – the bulls or the bears? Since August, the S&P 500 has been range trading between 1,230 and 1,100. At the current S&P 500 level of 1,224, the bears will be shorting the ma more (17 October 2011)
• Quarterly update – September 2011
    European sovereign debt problems, US sovereign credit downgrade by S&P, bearish comments by the Fed, downward revisions to global economic growth rates and weak economic data dominate more (05 October 2011)
• Market and Economic Commentary and Opinion
  Financial instability and the banks will be the focus of the market now the quarter is completed. We expect continued volatility in the markets.  The bigger concern in the long term is the slowd more (03 October 2011)
• FOFA to accelerate industry consolidation
  The decision by the Commonwealth Bank to pay $373 million for the planning group Count Financial is just the latest in a growing line of acquisitions that is seeing the big getting bigger and the sma more (25 September 2011)
• Market and Economic Commentary and Opinion
  Markets to focus on the US Over the next couple of weeks we expect markets focus to shift from Europe to the US with the following coming up: ·       &n more (19 September 2011)
• Market & Economic Commentary and Opinion
  Not a lot of good news from the US The employment numbers in the US continue to disappoint with unemployment at 9.1%. Numbers have hovered around 9% since the start of the year. There were zero jobs  more (05 September 2011)
• Monthly update – August 2011
  Monthly update – August 2011  Earnings uncertainty and the reporting season in Australian combined with global economic conditions resulted in another volatile month for equity markets. Ho more (04 September 2011)
• Market & Economic Commentary & Opinion
  Is the global economy heading towards recession? During the recent turmoil, the market has been sure about one thing - the global economy, lead by Europe and US, is slowing down.  This warning f more (22 August 2011)
• Retirees face tough times
  Retirees probably don’t need me to tell them, but life is going to get a lot tougher. The market volatility experienced post the GFC is not a passing phase; inflation is eating into purchasing  more (19 August 2011)
• Market & Economic Commentary & Opinion
  The US downgradeThe S&P downgrade of the US from AAA to AA+ has caused turmoil in both global and domestic markets. Whilst it may take time for a clear picture to emerge the market will be driven more (08 August 2011)
• Monthly update – July 2011
  Global markets fell following another difficult month that saw economic and political issues plague the market. The US debt ceiling negotiations took us perilously close to a default by the US govern more (04 August 2011)
• Quarterly Update June 2011
  Greek sovereign debt issues and a softening in US growth underpinned fading investor appetite for risk during the quarter. After the recent agreements in relation to Greece’s financial woes, th more (05 July 2011)
• Instreet aiming to take advantage of government policy
  See full Article in the Australian newspaper 29/06/11http://www.theaustralian.com.au/business/wealth/instreet-aiming-to-take-advantage-of-government-policy/story-e6frgac6-1226082414049Not everyone sh more (29 June 2011)
• Why markets and economics don’t always calibrate
  Why did so many economists get it so wrong when it came to predicting the GFC? Well, if you listen to the economists, they didn’t. They argue that it wasn’t a question of getting it wrong more (21 April 2011)
• Our view on the S&P downgrade of the US
  A Standard & Poor’s spokesperson has said there’s a one-in-three chance that the rating agency “could lower” its long-term view on US debt within two years.  The equi more (20 April 2011)
• Quarterly Update March 2011
  Quarterly Update March 2011 Risk assets generally performed well in the March quarter, despite natural disasters and political unrest across the Middle East and North Africa. For Australia, this more (05 April 2011)
• 2011 could prove a boom year for commodity prices
  As senior Australian executives trooped home from Davos, there was a real sense they were returning far more optimistic than when they left for the annual talkfest at this Swiss resort. Quite clearly more (30 March 2011)
• Why we use averaging to get both in and out of our Link ASX 200 and Link Asia 50 products
  We are often asked why we use averaging to get both in and out of our Link ASX 200 and Link Asia 50 products.  As you would be well aware, and has recently been starkly illustrated by the Japane more (22 March 2011)
• Two years on – Instreet Link Series I up 54%, Series II up 72% - time to consider rolling into a new
  Rolling InstructionsThe current investment in Instreet Link Series I or II matures in March. Before that time your client needs to make a decision, on what to do when it matures.The Instreet Link inv more (11 February 2011)
• Sky Business commentary on Markets
  Our Managing Directors market commentary on Sky Business more (10 January 2011)
• Quarterly Update December 2010
   Quarterly Update December 2010 The last quarter of the year saw investor confidence returning with equity and commodity markets outperforming sovereign debt markets. The commodity rally bo more (05 January 2011)
• A day in the life of a BDM
  It was almost two months to the day I visited a boutique financial planning firm in the eastern suburbs of Melbourne.  Post the GFC, contact with this firm – it boasts five financial plann more (08 October 2010)
• Market Commentary on Sky Business
  Our Managing Directors market commentary on Sky Business more (06 September 2010)
• Article in Journal of Investment Strategies - Structured products
  Executive summary For the retail investor, structured products have not only weathered the GFC storm, but also become increasingly attractive in its aftermath. Their capital protected status (in more (18 August 2010)
• Quarterly Update June
  Quarterly Update June 2010 In the second quarter of 2010, equity markets delivered a negative performance after four consecutive positive quarterly returns. In Australia, the Resource Super Prof more (09 July 2010)
• Sky Business commentary on Markets
  Our Managing Directors market commentary on Sky Business more (21 June 2010)
• Outrunning the Inflation Genie
  Here’s one for readers of economic history: Of these, which decade witnessed the biggest stock-market decline – 1930s; 1970s; or 1980s? It would have to be the 1930s, of course, in t more (16 June 2010)
• Sky Business commentary on Markets
  Our Managing Directors market commentary on Sky Business more (31 May 2010)
• Sky Business commentary on Markets
  Our Managing Directors market commentary on Sky Business more (17 May 2010)
• Structured products
  Executive summary For the retail investor, structured products have not only weathered the GFC storm, but also become increasingly attractive in its aftermath. Their capital protected status (in more (12 May 2010)
• Tom Morrow on the ARC index
  The recording of Tom Morrow on the ARC index is in three parts - see below: more (12 May 2010)
• Sky Business commentary on Henry Report
  Our Managing Directors commentary on Sky Business more (04 May 2010)
• Deconstructing Structured Products
  Every bull market is the same; an investment theory – or theories – emerges to explain why this boom is different, why the market upward spiral will continue apace. Of course, it’s  more (16 April 2010)
• Quarterly Update March 2010
  In the first quarter of 2010, the S&P/ASX200 struggled to match the returns seen in the initial phase of the current rally, continuing to trade in a 10% range. The index just finished the quarter more (10 April 2010)
• Sky Business commentary on Markets
  Our Managing Directors commentary on Sky Business  more (01 February 2010)
• Quarterly Update December 2009
  The S&P/ASX 200 closed meaningfully above of 4800 for the end of year 2009, reaching 4870 on 31 December as investors added more risk to their portfolios.  We forecast further returns of ove more (08 January 2010)
• You can't regulate against greed
  When the Parliamentary Joint Committee on Corporations and Financial Services handed down its recent report into Financial Products and Services in Australia, it was predictably lamenting how “ more (16 December 2009)

• contact us
• about us
• market forum
• news media