Global investment markets delivered mixed results over the month of July, while Australian shares continued their positive momentum. The S&P/ASX 200 Index rose 2.3% to close at 8,976.8 points. The Australian dollar also strengthened during the month, rising 1.6% against the US dollar to approximately USD 0.70.

Overseas markets delivered mixed results. The US S&P 500 was broadly unchanged, falling 0.1%, while the UK FTSE 100 rose 3.5%. Japan's Nikkei Index declined 8.1%, while Hong Kong's Hang Seng Index recorded a strong gain of 13.1%.

June was a relatively subdued month for investment markets. The S&P/ASX 200 Index rose 0.5% to close at 8,778.70 points, while the Australian dollar weakened to around USD 0.69. The Reserve Bank of Australia also kept the cash rate on hold at 4.35% per annum.

Global share market performance varied by region. The US S&P 500 fell by 1.1%, the UK FTSE 100 rose by 0.8%, Japan’s Nikkei gained 5.6%, and Hong Kong’s Hang Seng Index declined by 9.1%.

Investment markets continued their recovery in May. The S&P ASX 200 rose 0.8% to close at 8,731 points, while the Australian dollar weakened slightly by 0.3%. The Reserve Bank of Australia also increased interest rates again, taking the cash rate to 4.35% per annum, a level not seen in over a decade and continuing to pressure borrowing capacity.

Global markets delivered solid, but uneven, returns. The US market (S&P 500) gained 5.1%, while Japan surged 11.9%. The UK rose a modest 0.3%, and Hong Kong declined by 2.2%. The resilience in US markets follows a strong April, reflecting improved investor sentiment as geopolitical concerns eased.