In relation to the outbreak of the Coronavirus, we have introduced an infection control measure with the aim of keeping staff and clients safe.
Of course, we want to remain available to all clients, especially during periods of market volatility and this includes having face to face meetings where preferred. However, where possible we have moved meetings to be held via phone or skype/video. Several clients have actually preferred this as they do not need to travel into the city and use public transport.
Where an in-person meeting is preferred, we have provided hand sanitiser gel at reception and will ask all visitors to our office to use this gel upon entry.
If you have an appointment and have recently returned from travel (within the last 2 weeks) or feel unwell, we ask that you not attend our office. We will endeavour to re-arrange the meeting via phone, skype/video, or defer until you are well again.
We have asked our staff to take the same approach. If staff feel unwell, we have asked them not to attend the office. Any staff that are travelling overseas will be self-quarantined and working from home for a period of 2 weeks from their return date. We will wash our hands between every client meeting.
We have also increased the frequency of wiping down various surfaces in the office including door handles, tables, chairs, and the reception counter in order to sanitise all passive surfaces. We will refrain from shaking your hand on entry and ask that you do the same.
We hope these measures will ensure our office is a safe place to work or visit. We will update you should any of these measures change.
Thanks for your understanding,
From the Financial Keys team.
It was a nervous start to the quarter for the Australian equity market (ASX 200), as the impact of China stimulus measures and implications of rising bond yields was being digested. The resources sector felt the brunt of this nervy start falling over 5% for the month of October, however the broader market did manage to reach an all-time high on the 15th of October closing above 8,300 for the first time.
2024 was a memorable one for investors, with asset prices powering ahead.
The year started with a bang, as the positive market momentum from the fourth quarter of 2023 spilled over into the new year, under the premise that inflation would fall sharply through 2024 enabling central banks to deliver large interest rate cutting programs.
The Australian equity market (ASX 200), although starting the quarter in good spirits and continuing to rally, driven by lower-than-expected inflation data and positive sentiment, witnessed an acceleration in market volatility due to various economic and political factors. This did not deter investors as the index made history on 17 July by surpassing the 8,000 mark and closing at an all-time high of 8,057. Off the back of positive momentum supported by optimism of interest rate cuts by the US Federal Reserve as early as September the benchmark delivered a strong quarterly return of +7.8%.