Monthly Market Review – May 2020
VIEW PDFHow the different asset classes have fared: (As at 31 May 2020)
1 Bloomberg AusBond Bank 0+Y TR AUD, 2 Bloomberg AusBond Composite 0+Y TR AUD, 3 Bloomberg Barclays Global Aggregate TR Hdg AUD, 4 S&P/ASX All Ordinaries TR, 5 Vanguard International Shares Index, 6 Vanguard Intl Shares Index Hdg AUD TR, 7 Vanguard Emerging Markets Shares Index, 8 FTSE Developed Core Infrastructure 50/50 NR AUD, 9 S&P/ASX 300 AREIT TR, 10 FTSE EPRA/NAREIT Global REITs NR AUD
Financial markets continued to rally in May, continuing on from the momentum seen in April. Share markets, both in Australia and internationally, rose and the Australian dollar appreciated as risk sentiment improved. Government bond yields largely moved sideways over the month, while credit markets gradually rallied as investor confidence rose and central banks continued their support.
Cash and Fixed Income
Interest rates remained on hold in May, with central banks already having lowered rates as much as reasonably bearable. Bond markets generally traded sideways over the month. Credit markets rallied modestly particularly after the US Federal Reserve began buying credit exchange traded funds (ETF’s). There remains an ongoing debate about how effective central bank intervention will be, in the short term central banks can help support confidence and liquidity. In the longer term its solvency that counts, which will be driven more by the state of the economy, and less by central bank intervention.
Australian Shares
The Australian share market extended its rally with another gain of 5% in May which was welcome news by investors. To some extent this growth can be attributed to the Australian government getting the Covid-19 pandemic under control with markets looking forward to the prospects of a quick reopening of the economy.
We would offer some words of caution to those expecting significant additional gains in the near term from today’s levels. The Australian share market is trading on a rich valuation multiple relative to its history. Additionally there remains considerable uncertainty about the scale and scope of the recovery in the economy, even with a promising beginning.
Within the share market we witnessed a shift from healthcare and tech and back to the banks as well as some of the more economically sensitive sectors.
International Shares
International share markets continued to recover in May, supported by the substantial and coordinated fiscal and monetary response to the coronavirus globally and the prospect for social distancing measures to be eased in a number of countries.
As with the Australian share market, it should be noted that a lot of good news is already in the price with valuation levels high relative to longer term historical norms.
While Australia has handled the Covid-19 crisis reasonably well, the same cannot be said for America, home of the world’s largest and most important share market. Unfortunately it seems likely that there will be a second wave of infections as the US economy opens up. This fact, along with the potential for volatility associated with the upcoming US elections is keeping us a little cautious about both US share market generally.
The Australian Dollar
The Australian dollar continued to rally in May. The Australian dollar was also supported by resilient iron ore prices and a widening in the Australia/US interest rate differential (with the Australian 10-year government bond yield now higher than the US 10-year government bond yield).
Disclaimer
The information contained in this material is current as at date of publication unless otherwise specified and is provided by ClearView Financial Advice Pty Ltd ABN 89 133 593 012, AFS Licence No. 331367 (ClearView) and Matrix Planning Solutions Limited ABN 45 087 470 200, AFS Licence No. 238 256 (Matrix). Any advice contained in this material is general advice only and has been prepared without taking account of any person’s objectives, financial situation or needs. Before acting on any such information, a person should consider its appropriateness, having regard to their objectives, financial situation and needs. In preparing this material, ClearView and Matrix have relied on publicly available information and sources believed to be reliable. Except as otherwise stated, the information has not been independently verified by ClearView or Matrix. While due care and attention has been exercised in the preparation of the material, ClearView and Matrix give no representation, warranty (express or implied) as to the accuracy, completeness or reliability of the information. The information in this document is also not intended to be a complete statement or summary of the industry, markets, securities or developments referred to in the material. Any opinions expressed in this material, including as to future matters, may be subject to change. Opinions as to future matters are predictive in nature and may be affected by inaccurate assumptions or by known or unknown risks and uncertainties and may differ materially from results ultimately achieved. Past performance is not an indicator of future performance.
