Share market falls on higher US inflation data & slower growth Higher US inflationary expectations coupled with softer economic data drove share markets lower. The US represents approximately half of the global economy, as such the implications of slowing demand and higher inflation rippled through all markets. Australian shares have their worst month in three years May was a month of two parts, in the first two weeks of the month the S&P/ASX 300 Accumulation index rose strongly (+1.8%) before retreating (-6.7%) on higher inflation numbers from the United States. The index ended the month down 4.7%. For the year to 31 May the S&P/ASX 300 Accumulation index is up 27.3%. Commodity prices pause Commodity prices declined sharply, with Gold (-14.2%), Aluminium Alloy (-12.1%) and Zinc (-2.6%) the worst effected. Despite the decline in May these commodities are still positive for the calendar year - Gold (+24.8%), Aluminium Alloy (+28.3%) and Zinc (+104.5%). The Reserve Bank of Australia (RBA) raises rates to 5.75% The RBA raised rates to 5.75% in May, before the Federal budget, citing inflationary pressures and the lack of spare capacity in the economy.
17th-June-2006 |