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The continued spread of Coronavirus has resulted in further carnage across global investment markets, with the magnitude of market falls not seen since the 1987 stock market correction.

As foreshadowed in last month’s newsletter, the rapid spread of coronavirus has resulted in carnage across global investment markets – particularly late in the month as it became apparent that the spread of the virus was far from contained.

The Australian share market started the New Year on a positive note, with the benchmark All Ordinaries index gaining by 4.6% to close the month at 7,121.2 points.  However, late in the month, global investment markets pulled-back sharply with concerns around the likely impact of the rapidly spreading “coronavirus”.

The Australian share market declined in value in the month of December, with the benchmark All Ordinaries index falling by 2.0% to close the month at 6,810.0 points.  Notwithstanding the poor monthly result, 2019 will be remembered as a stellar year for Australian shares, with the benchmark index gaining by more than 19% in the 2019 calendar year.

Renewed optimism surrounding a United States – China trade deal saw the Australian share market close higher for the month of November.  For the month, the All Ordinaries index gained by 2.6% to close at 6,948.0 points.   

The Australian Dollar gave-back most of its prior monthly gains, decreasing in value by 1.8% in November, with 1 Australian Dollar currently buying 67.63 US cents.   

The Australian share market closed marginally lower for the month of October, with the All Ordinaries index falling by 0.4% to close the month at 6,772.9 points.   The Australian Dollar gained by 2.1% in October, with 1 Australian Dollar currently buying 68.90 US cents.   

The Australian share market turned positive in the month of September, with the All Ordinaries index gaining by 1.5% to close the month at 6,800.6 points.   The Australian Dollar was steady, with 1 Australian Dollar currently buying 67.50 US cents.   

The Australian share market recorded its first negative month of the year, with the All Ordinaries index falling by 2.9% in August to close the month at 6,698.2 points.   The Australian Dollar continued its recent trend falling by 1.7%, with 1 Australian Dollar currently buying 67.36 US cents.   

It was another strong month of performance for the Australian share market, with the All Ordinaries index gaining by 2.9% in July to close the month at 6,896.7 points.   The Australian Dollar fell by 2.1%, with 1 Australian Dollar currently buying 68.50 US cents.   

The Australian share market finished the 2019 financial year on a positive note.   The All Ordinaries index gained by 3.2% in June to close the month at 6,699.2 points.   The Australian Dollar gained by 0.9%, with 1 Australian Dollar currently buying 70.00 US cents.