The Harbour Outlook summarises recent market developments, what we are monitoring closely, and our key views on the outlook for fixed interest, credit and equity markets.

A muted global market reaction so far?

Harbour Asset Management provides a valuable update on the fixed interest market following the US Federal Reserve latest rate announcement this week.

Over recent years the New Zealand credit market has been going through something of a quiet revolution.

The impact of technology is one of the most exciting aspects of being a professional investor. Technology can enable a business to significantly enhance its service offering, improving customer service and hopefully making an increased profit along the way – a win-win.

Markets, both in New Zealand and globally, have experienced "goldilocks" conditions for the past five years of low inflation and solid economic growth.

A large number of retail investors breathed a sigh of relief last month as they received their principal of $900 million back on what was New Zealand’s largest retail bond issue which was launched 10 years ago. Harbour Asset Management looks at the lessons learnt from the Rabobank offer.

Talks of an impending global recession are making the headlines once again but what exactly are the driving factors?

Harbour Asset Management managing director looks at what the Trump victory means for New Zealand and investors.

Markets digested a flurry of central bank announcements this week, which all reiterated the determination to lift CPI inflation to targets; with no real signs that central banks have given up on the need for monetary stimulus.

Central bankers from around the world met at Jackson Hole in Wyoming, recently, to discuss unconventional monetary policy and lessons for the future.   

Six years of a begrudged equity market rally is leaving investors nervous.

"Prediction is very difficult, especially if it's about the future." - Niels Bohr

The main event for the month was the RBNZ’s April OCR Review, coming hot on the heels of its March decision to cut the OCR to 2.25% that took many local economists by surprise.

A key theme for markets moving into 2016 has been the persistence of low inflation, and the battle facing central banks to avoid low inflation becoming embedded within the expectations of households and businesses.