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Investment markets were subdued in March as global political risks relating to a US/China free trade deal and Brexit remain unresolved.  The All Ordinaries index gained by 0.1% to close the month at 6,261.7 points. 

February saw global share markets continue to strengthen, with the All Ordinaries index gaining by 5.3% to close the month at 6,252.7 points.  This followed strong returns in January whereby the share market gained by 4.0%.

The month of January saw a partial recovery in share market values, with the All Ordinaries index gaining by 4.0% to close the month at 5,937.3 points.  This is the first month of positive Australian share market returns since August last year.

The Australian Dollar gained by 3.1% in the month of January, with 1 Australian Dollar buying 72.71 US cents as at the end of the month.  The Reserve Bank of Australia board did not meet in January.

December was a hugely volatile month for global share markets, with the Australian share market coming through relatively unscathed.  The All Ordinaries index fell by 0.7% to close the month at 5,709.4 points (marking the fourth consecutive month of decline).  For the 2018 calendar year, the All Ordinaries index fell by 7.4% (excluding dividend income).

November represented the third consecutive month of negative returns for the Australian share market, with the All Ordinaries index falling by 2.8% to close the month at 5,749.3 points.  The Australian Dollar gained by 3.2%, with 1 Australian Dollar currently buying 73.06 US cents.

It was a poor month for the Australian share market with the All Ordinaries index falling 6.5% (after falling 1.6% in September) to close at 5,913.3 points. The Australian Dollar also fell by 2.1%, with 1 Australian dollar currently buying 70.82 US cents.

Once again, the Reserve Bank of Australia (RBA) board kept the official Cash Rate on hold at 1.50% per annum. There is unlikely to be any Melbourne Cup interest rate surprise this year, as the RBA board is expected to keep the Cash Rate on hold when it meets next Tuesday.

The Australian share market retreated in the month of September, with the All Ordinaries index closing the month 1.6% lower at 6,325.5 points. The Australian Dollar gained marginally by 0.6% in September, with 1 Australian dollar currently buying 72.31 US cents.

Unsurprisingly, the Reserve Bank of Australia (RBA) board kept the official Cash Rate on hold at 1.50% per annum. The RBA board is expected to keep the Cash Rate on hold once again in October.

Notwithstanding political turmoil in Canberra, resulting in a new Prime Minister, Scott Morrison, the Australian share market continued its recent trend of gains. The All Ordinaries index closed the month of August 1.0% higher at 6,427.80 points. That said, the Australian Dollar fell by 2.9% in the month, with 1 Australian dollar currently buying 71.89 US cents.

The Australian share market consolidated recent gains in July, with the All Ordinaries index closing the month 1.2% higher at 6,366.2 points. The Australian Dollar was steady, with 1 Australian dollar currently buying 74.07 US cents.

Unsurprisingly, the Reserve Bank of Australia (RBA) board kept the official Cash Rate on hold at 1.50% per annum last  month. The RBA board is expected to keep the Cash Rate on hold when they meet in August.

The Australian share market performed well in June, with the All Ordinaries index closing the month 2.7% higher at 6,289.70 points. The positive result came as the Government's legislation to cut personal income tax rates surprisingly passed through the Senate.

The Australian Dollar continued its recent trend, falling by 2.0% in the month, with 1 Australian dollar currently buying 74.07 US cents. Once again, the Reserve Bank of Australia (RBA) board kept the official Cash Rate on hold at 1.50% per annum in the month of June.