In this episode, Alan Clarke, Portfolio Manager provides a thorough analysis of the recent economic developments, including the unexpected trends in US GDP and the implications on global growth. Despite a mixed start to the year, with challenges in exports and inventory spending, consumer spending and investments have shown resilience, painting a complex picture of the current economic landscape.
Key Highlights:
- Global Economic Trends: Insight into how different regions, including Europe, the UK, and parts of Asia, are performing compared to the local economies of New Zealand and Australia.
- Market Performance: A look at the strong performance of equity markets in early 2024, following a robust end to 2023, and the diverse contributions beyond the tech giants.
- Inflation and Market Outlook: Alan discusses inflation, its trajectory, and the potential implications for interest rates and market conditions.