The Australian share market continued its positive start to 2013, with the All Ordinaries index closing February up 4.5% at 5,120.40 points. Global shares were generally well supported in February with the Dow Jones Index gaining 1.4%, the FTSE gaining 1.3% and the Nikkei 225 gaining 3.8%. The Hang Seng bucked the global trend, declining 3.0% for the month.
Investment markets started the year on a positive note, Prime Minister Gillard flagged further changes to superannuation and (in an unprecedented move) the Federal Election date was set....... over seven months away!
The All Ordinaries index closed January up 5.1% at 4,901.0 points. As a result, the All Ordinaries index has now gained in excess of 18% for the financial year-to-date.
Global shares were equally supported in January with the Dow Jones Index gaining 5.8%, the FTSE gaining 6.4%, the Nikkei 225 gaining 7.2% and the Hang Seng gaining 4.7% for the month.
The Australian share market finished the calendar year on 18-month highs, Treasurer Wayne Swan abandoned the idea of a budget surplus, the RBA cut interest rates and the fiscal cliff in the United States was avoided... well for the time being!
It was a flat month for the Australian share market, the RBA kept rates on hold, Barack Obama convincingly won the US election and Green Moon won the Melbourne Cup by a length...
The All Ordinaries index finished November marginally down 0.4% at 4,518.00 points. Global shares were mixed with the Dow Jones Index falling 0.5%, the FTSE gaining 1.5%, the Nikkei 225 gaining 6.3% and the Hang Seng gaining 2.0% for the month.
The Australian share market recorded another month of gains. The All Ordinaries increased by 2.9% to close October at 4,535.40 points. However, investors showed caution with low trading volumes due (in part) to the upcoming presidential election and hurricane Sandy in the United States.
Global shares were mixed as a result of the above issues with the Dow Jones Index falling 2.7%, the FTSE gaining 0.7%, the Nikkei 225 gaining 0.1% and the Hang Seng gaining 3.7% in October.
The Australian share market continued to consolidate recent gains with the All Ordinaries increasing by 1.6% for the month to close September at 4,406.30 points. Aussie shares have now gained 7.2% for the 2012 calendar year.
Global shares were also positive in September, with the Dow Jones Index up 2.6%, the FTSE up 0.5%, the Nikkei 225 up 0.8% and the Hang Seng up 7.2% for the month.
The Australian share market consolidated recent gains with the All Ordinaries gaining 1.2% for the month to close August at 4,339.00 points. Aussie shares have now gained 5.5% for the 2012 calendar year.
Global shares were also generally positive in August, with the Dow Jones Index up 0.6%, the FTSE up 1.4%, and the Nikkei 225 up 1.2%. The Hang Seng fell 1.8% for the month.
The Australian share market started the new financial year with a bang. The All Ordinaries index gained 3.7% for the month to close July at 4,135.50 points. Aussie shares have now gained 4.34% for the 2012 calendar year – a good effort given the headwinds from the euro zone debt crisis.
Global shares were also generally positive in July, with the Dow Jones Index up 1.0%, the FTSE up 1.2%, and the Hang Seng up 1.8%. The Nikkei 225 bucked the trend falling 3.9% for the month.
The Australian share market closed June flat at 4,135.5 points. Global shares were positive (following a rally late on Friday) with the Dow Jones Index up 3.9%, the FTSE up 5.0%, the Nikkei 225 up 5.9% and the Hang Seng up 4.4% for the month.
June signalled the end of the Financial Year in Australia – a poor one for share market investors – with the Australian share market down over 11%. The chart below shows the sector performance of the Australian share market over the 2011/12 Financial Year.
As foreshadowed in the recent Federal Budget, commencing next month are changes to Family Assistance Payments. This article highlights the relevant changes and the new payment rates.
Family Tax Benefit Part A and B indexed from 1 July 2012
From 1 July 2012, Family Tax Benefit Part A and B will be indexed. The maximum rates of Family Tax Benefit Part A will increase by: