- The RBA kept the overnight cash rate steady at 2.50% during the April meeting. The rate was also left unchanged during the May sitting.
- Fixed income securities remained steady with the three Month Bank Bill Swap Rate declining by -0.01%, to finish the month priced at 2.66%.
- 10 Year Australian Bond yields finished the month at 3.95%, representing a -0.13% decline for April.
- The price of Australian Shares increased over the month, with the All Ordinaries Price Index and the S&P/ASX 200 Price Index rising by 1.25% and 1.75% respectively.
- Australian Listed Property had a strong month, with the S&P/ASX 300 Property Price Index gaining 5.64% in April.
- Global equities posted mixed results in various regions over the past month. The FTSE 100 (UK) Price Index and the STOXX 50 (EUR) Price Index were leading performers, gaining 2.75% and 1.07% respectively. Japan continued to be the worst performer in the international share market, with the Japan TOPIX Price Index declining by -3.36% for the month.
- Commodity prices had an overall positive month, with the US$ CRB Spot Commodity Price Index gaining 1.55%. Gold prices increased by 0.59% while oil prices decreased by -1.44% (in USD).
- The Australian Dollar appreciated by 0.06% against the US Dollar and depreciated against most other currencies. In particular, the Aussie lost by -0.62% against the Euro, -1.07% versus the British Pound and -0.84% against the Japanese Yen.
- The Australian Trade Weighted Index (TWI) increased by 0.56% over the month, indicating a rise in Australia’s international competitiveness.
- US equity market volatility declined by -0.47% for the month, ending April priced at 14.00%, as measured by the S&P VIX Index.
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Source: Zenith Investment Partners
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