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.
The Australian equity market started the year with great gusto with key economic metrics broadly supporting the market. This swiftly turned in February and the local bourse continued to fall throughout the remainder of the quarter. The slide was largely due to the uncertainty over US President Trump's tariffs. Fear and speculation finally became reality as the index began its steep decent in early February, falling circa -10.3%; an official correction and potentially heading towards bear territory and global recession. The Australian market reacted sharply and negatively to the Trump tariffs during the March quarter and overall experienced its steepest losses since the onset of the COVID-19 pandemic. The Australian equity market ended the quarter down (-2.8%).
Although we haven’t received any calls, as we suspect most people are quite familiar with market volatility over the years, we thought this update would put some recent market movements into perspective.
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.