It was a remarkable month in the Australian share market, with the All Ordinaries index eventually closing the month 0.5% lower at 6,117.30 points.
The Australian Dollar fell 4.0% on the back of heightened volatility in global investment markets, with 1 Australian dollar currently buying 77.40 US cents. As expected, in the February board meeting, the Reserve Bank of Australia (RBA) board kept the official Cash Rate on hold at 1.50% per annum.
The Australian share market made a flat start to the 2018 calendar year, with the All Ordinaries index closing the month 0.3% lower at 6,146.50 points. The Australian Dollar continued to rally throughout January, gaining 3.4% in the month, with 1 Australian dollar currently buying 80.65 US cents.
The Reserve Bank of Australia (RBA) board did not meet in January. The first RBA board meeting for 2018 is scheduled for next Tuesday the 6th of February, with it widely expected for the official Cash Rate to remain on hold at 1.50% per annum.
The Australian share market finished the 2017 calendar year on a positive note, with the All Ordinaries index closing the month 1.8% higher at 6,167.3 points. That increase marked a 7.8% gain (excluding dividend income) for the 2017 calendar year.
The Australian Dollar continued its surprise strength, and was steady in the month of December buying 78.03 US cents. Once again, the Reserve Bank of Australia (RBA) left the official Cash Rate on hold at 1.50% per annum.
The Australian share market consolidated recent gains, with the All Ordinaries index gaining 1.4% to close the month of November at 6,057.2 points.
The Australian Dollar retreated by 0.8% in November, with 1 Australian Dollar currently buying 75.87 US cents. As expected, the Reserve Bank of Australia (RBA) left the official Cash Rate on hold at 1.50% per annum.
After two consecutive months of flat returns, the Australian share market advanced strongly in October with the All Ordinaries index closing the month up 4.0% at 5,976.4 points.
The Australian Dollar retreated by 2.4% in October (after falling 1.3% in September), with 1 Australian Dollar currently buying 76.51 US cents. As expected, the Reserve Bank of Australia (RBA) left the official Cash Rate on hold at 1.50% per annum.
The Australian share market had another relatively lacklustre month in September, with the All Ordinaries index closing the month down 0.5% at 5,744.9 points.
The Australian Dollar retreated by 1.3% in September, with 1 Australian Dollar currently buying 78.37 US cents. As expected, the Reserve Bank of Australia (RBA) left the official Cash Rate on hold at 1.50% per annum.
It was another flat month for the Australian share market in August, with the All Ordinaries index closing the month steady at 5,776.3 points. The Australian Dollar retreated marginally, with 1 Australian Dollar currently buying 79.43 US cents. Once again, the Reserve Bank of Australia (RBA) left the official Cash Rate on hold at 1.50% per annum.
The Australian share market was once again subdued in July, with the All Ordinaries index closing the month 0.2% higher at 5,773.9 points. The Australian Dollar rallied by 4.1% in July, with 1 Australian Dollar currently buying 80.01 US cents.
Once again, the Reserve Bank of Australia (RBA) left the official Cash Rate on hold at 1.50% per annum.
The Australian share market was flat in June, with the All Ordinaries index closing the month steady at 5,764.0 points. The Australian Dollar strengthened by 3.5%, with 1 Australian Dollar currently buying 76.86 US cents. Once again, the Reserve Bank of Australia (RBA) left the official Cash Rate on hold at 1.50% per annum.
Global share markets provided mixed returns in June. The United States Dow Jones index gained 1.6%, the London FTSE fell 2.8%, the Japan Nikkei 225 gained 1.9% and the Hong Kong Hang Seng Index gained 0.4% for the month.
The Australian share market was weaker in May, with the All Ordinaries index closing the month 3.1% lower at 5,761.3 points. The Australian Dollar fell by 0.8% in May, with 1 Australian Dollar currently buying 74.26 US cents. Once again, the Reserve Bank of Australia left the official Cash Rate on hold at 1.50% per annum.
Global share markets provided positive returns in May. The United States Dow Jones index gained 0.3%, the London FTSE gained 4.4%, the Japan Nikkei 225 gained 2.4% and the Hong Kong Hang Seng Index gained 4.2% for the month.