Mint Asset Management investment analyst Ryan Falls reckons, well his Dad reckoned, he was not got at counting sheep on the family farm. But with hard work and having a good framework things have changed.

For much of the past few years, there has been an ongoing debate about whether the US was going to experience a ‘hard landing’ or a ‘soft landing’. Back in the tail end of 2023, the mainstream view was an eventual ‘hard landing’ – the economy under pressure from elevated levels of inflation would be forced into a recession, borne down by the weight of the rate hikes necessary to curb that inflation.

It’s been a charged year for New Zealand’s electricity market, and not just because of the literal power surges. Earlier in the year, a perfect storm of low hydro lake levels, lacklustre wind, and a gas shortage sent electricity prices through the roof. Headlines buzzed with warnings of market dysfunction, with some pointing fingers at a lack of competition and an underinvestment in generation. With wholesale electricity prices and lake levels having returned closer to normal levels, we ask if the headlines are a fair reflection of reality.

The post-COVID era has been incredibly difficult for many. In the context of NZ equities, perhaps none more so than the retirement village (RV) sector which has been stung by both higher interest rates and a weaker housing market.

Nothing like price to change sentiment – Helene Meisler

As a seasoned investor and equity analyst, I've learned some invaluable lessons from navigating the ups and downs of the stock market over the years. Here are four lessons I have learnt.

I grew up with a knack for numbers. Through my early years I always found maths something that came naturally to me which in turn sent me off on the path to become a Portfolio Manager, as I am today.  This journey was somewhat less traditional than some, but one that provoked an interest in financial markets at each turn.

Living in a sustainable way was a feature of my household long before it became part of the mainstream culture.

Imagine a child growing up in communist Poland in the 80s. Picture the grand, yet ultimately hollow, promises of five-year government plans that fizzled out before they could light any real fire under the economy.

Investors, Businesses and Non-Governmental Organisations (NGOs) continue to urge the New Zealand government to create strong modern slavery laws in Aotearoa.

Technology investing has always been a rapidly evolving sector, and 2024 will be no different. 

August 2021 marked the start of an almost four-month lockdown for Auckland – none of us would wish to return to that challenging period. Except, that is, if you were a domestic investor. From the end of August 2021 to the lows in October 2023, the NZX50 Index fell almost 20%[1].

Every year has catch phrases that embed themselves in the market lexicon and feed into the narrative of the day. This year has been no exception.

Volatility in markets has continued to make for challenging times for investors. As an active manager, this gives the investment team at Mint plenty of opportunity to search out some great ideas.

It was a sad day for the world of Economics and Finance when it was announced in June that Harry Markowitz had passed.

Artificial intelligence (AI) encapsulates a broad and diverse technology within the financial services industry.