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It was a poor start to 2014 for investment markets, as worries about the strength of emerging market economies and the global impact of the US Federal Reserve winding back of its economic stimulus program weighed heavily.

The Australian share market performed well in context of the global share market performance, falling 2.8% to close January at 5,201.1 points. In the US the Dow Jones Index fell 5.3%, in London the FTSE fell 3.5%, in Hong Kong the Hang Seng Index fell 5.5% and in Japan the Nikkei 225 Index fell 5.5% for the month of January. 

The Australian share market finished 2013 in a somewhat subdued fashion gaining 0.7% in the month of December to close at 5,353.10 points.  Nevertheless, 2013 was a stellar year for the Australian share market recording a 14.8% gain for the year (far exceeding my expectations from this time last year).

Global shares were once again mixed in December with the Dow Jones Index gaining 3.0%, the FTSE gaining 1.5%, the Hang Seng falling 2.4% and the Nikkei 225 gaining 4.3% for the month.  The chart below shows the returns of key global share markets through calendar 2013.

The Australian share market ended four months of consecutive gains, falling 2.0% in the month of November, closing at 5,314.30 points.  The pullback was expected, with the overall market up by approximately 14% for the 2013 calendar year-to-date.

Global shares were mixed in November with the Dow Jones Index gaining 3.5%, the FTSE falling 1.2%, the Hang Seng gaining 2.9% and the Nikkei 225 continuing its volatile trend - gaining 9.3% for the month. 

The Australian share market had another stellar month, increasing 3.9% in October to close at 5,420.3 points.  The positive result came as investors breathed a collective “sigh of relief” after US Congress agreed to an eleventh hour temporary increase to US Government “debt ceiling”.

Global shares also performed well in October, with the Dow Jones Index gaining 2.8%, the FTSE gaining 4.2% and the Hang Seng gaining 1.5%. The Nikkei 225 bucked the trend, falling 0.9% for the month after gaining a whooping 8.0% in September. 

The Australian share market consolidated recent gains in September, increasing 1.8% for the month to close at 5,217.7 points.  Aussie shares have now increased by nearly 12% for the calendar year – an excellent result on the back of a solid end to the 2012 calendar year.

Global shares (in particular Asian markets) were all well supported in September with the Dow Jones Index gaining 2.2%, the FTSE gaining 0.8%, the Hang Seng gaining 5.2% and the Nikkei 225 gaining 8.0% for the month.

The Australian share market gained 1.8% in the month of August to close at 5,125.3 points.  Aussie shares bucked the global trend, as international markets were cautious of the US commencing military intervention in Syria.

The Dow Jones Index fell 4.4%, the FTSE fell 3.1%, the Hang Seng fell 1.8% and the Nikkei 225 fell 2.9% for the month. 

Global share markets rebounded strongly in July and the Australian market didn’t miss out this time.  The All Ordinaries Index gained 5.5% for the month to close at 5,035.7 points. 

In key international markets, the Dow Jones Index gained 4.0%, the FTSE gained 6.5%, the Hang Seng gained 6.3% and the Nikkei 225 gained 0.8%.  The turnaround comes as the US Federal Reserve ‘hosed-down’ fears of prematurely easing its market stimulus program.

The Australian share market was down in June with the All Ordinaries index falling 2.8% to close the month at 4,775.4 points.  The poor performance comes on the back of a 4.9% fall in May.  Notwithstanding the recent pull-back, the Australian share market still recorded a very strong financial year, gaining more than 15%.

Global shares also finished June in negative territory with the Dow Jones Index falling 1.4%, the FTSE falling 5.6%, the Hang Seng falling 7.1% and the Nikkei 225 falling 0.7%. 

With tax revenues falling well short of expectations - $17 billion write-down in tax receipts - it has been clear that promises of a return to surplus in 2013 could not be kept. 

Set against a backdrop of uncertainty around the global economy and the domestic political situation, the Budget night proved to have no surprises, with the majority of measures announced prior to the night itself.

Increase in Medicare Levy

The Australian share market rebounded in April, with the All Ordinaries index closing the month up 3.8% at 5,168.6 points. 

Global shares also finished April in positive territory with the Dow Jones Index gaining 1.8%, the FTSE gaining 0.3%, the Hang Seng gaining 2.0% and the Nikkei 225 gaining 11.8%. 

The shift in market sentiment was sparked by positive earnings results in overseas equities, notwithstanding that key economies are still delivering mixed economic results.