With a change in calendar year, came a change in investor sentiment - sparking a large sell off in investment markets. The All Ordinaries index declined by 5.4% in the month of January to close at 5,056.6 points.
Global investment markets were weaker across the board. The US Dow Jones Index declined by 5.5% the London FTSE declined by 2.5%, the Japan Nikkei 225 Index declined by 8.0% and the Hong Kong Hang Seng Index declined by 10.2%.
Australian sharemarket returns were positive in the month of December, with the All Ordinaries index gaining 2.4% to close the month at 5,344.6 points. The rally has been short-lived however, with volatility remaining a feature of invesmtent markets as we enter into the New Year.
In contrast, global investment markets were weak in December. The US Dow Jones Index declined by 1.7%, the London FTSE declined by 1.8%, the Japan Nikkei 225 Index declined by 3.5% and the Hong Kong Hang Seng Index declined by 0.4%.
Investment markets were mixed in November, with both gains and losses recorded across major share markets.
For the month of November, the All Ordinaries Index declined by 1.3% to close at 5,218.2 points. The US Dow Jones Index gained by 0.3% the London FTSE declined by 0.1%, the Japan Nikkei 225 Index gained by 5.0% and the Hong Kong Hang Seng Index declined by 2.8% in November.
Investment markets bounced back from consecutive monthly losses, with solid gains recorded across all major share markets. For the month of October, the All Ordinaries Index gained 4.5% to close at 5,288.7 points.
Global shares were solid in October with the US Dow Jones Index gaining 8.5% the London FTSE gaining 4.9%, the Japan Nikkei 225 Index gaining 8.2% and the Hong Kong Hang Seng Index gaining 8.6% in September.
Continued fears of a slowdown in Chinese economic growth and falling commodity prices resulted in global share markets continuing to decline in September. As if these issues weren’t enough, Tony Abbott was ousted as Prime Minister with Malcolm Turnbull becoming the 29th Prime Minister of Australia.
It was a horror month for the Australian share market, as fears over a slowdown in Chinese growth sparked an aggressive sell-off in global markets towards the end of the month.
The All Ordinaries Index fell 8.1% in August to close at 5,222.1 points. Global shares were down with the Dow Jones Index falling 6.6%, the FTSE falling 6.7%, the Nikkei 225 Index falling 8.2% and the Hang Seng Index falling 12.0%.
The Australian share market bounced back from a disappointing June to gain 4.2% in the month of July, with the All Ordinaries Index closing at 5,681.7 points. The positive result came as negotiations between the Greek government, the European Commission and the International Monetary Fund advanced.
The Australian share market closed the month down 5.6%, with the All Ordinaries Index closing at 5,451.2 points. For the 2015 financial year, the All Ordinaries Index gained a modest 1.2%.
The Australian share market closed the month flat, with the All Ordinaries Index steady at 5,774.9 points. The Australian share market is clearly experiencing a period of consolidation following the strong performance in the first quarter of 2015.
Global shares were also relatively subdued in May with the US Dow Jones Index gaining 1.0% the London FTSE gaining 0.3%, the Hong Kong Hang Seng Index falling 2.5% and the Japan Nikkei 225 Index the standout performer gaining 5.3%.
Last year's tough budget has been followed up with a budget aimed squarely at growing the economy.
According to Federal Treasurer Joe Hockey, this is a "responsible, measured and fair" budget with generous tax cuts for small business and a range of youth unemployment and infrastructure spending initiatives designed to stimulate growth.
Importantly, the government kept to its promise of no new taxes on superannuation. However, the budget contains significant changes to the age pension assets test and childcare subsidies.