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After a strong finish to the 2016 calendar year, investment markets took stock in January. The All Ordinaries index closed the month down 0.8% at 5,675 points. The Australian Dollar increased 5.3% in the month, with 1 Australian Dollar currently buying 75.85 US cents.

Global markets were also generally flat in January. The United States Dow Jones index gained 0.5%, the London FTSE fell 0.6% and the Japan Nikkei 225 fell 0.4% for the month. Once again bucking the trend was the Hong Kong Hang Seng Index, gaining 6.2% for the month (after falling in December).

Key investment markets took-off towards the end of 2016, with the All Ordinaries index gaining 3.9% to close the month of December at 5,719.1 points.  For the 2016 calendar year, the All Ordinaries index gained 7.0%.

International markets were generally stronger in December (and for the 2016 calendar year for that matter). In December, the United States Dow Jones index gained 3.3%, the London FTSE gained 5.3% and the Japan Nikkei 225 gained 4.4%.

November marked one of the most extraordinary election upsets in political history. Donald Trump defied polls, pundits and markets in a stunning upset to become the 45th president of the United States.

The Australian share market gained  1.9% in the month of November, closing at 5,502.4 points. The United States Dow Jones index gained 5.4% and the Japan Nikkei 225 gained 5.1%.

The Australian share market declined by 2.2% in the month of October, closing at 5,402.4 points. The Australian Dollar declined by 0.8% for the month, with 1 Australian Dollar currently buying 76.1 US cents.

Global investment markets were mixed in October. The US Dow Jones Index fell 0.9%, the London FTSE gained 0.8%, the Japan Nikkei 225 gained 5.9% and the Hong Kong Hang Seng Index fell 1.6% in the month.

The Australian sharemarket was flat in the month of September, closing at 5,525.2 points. Last month, the Reserve Bank left the official Cash Rate on hold (at 1.50% per annum) and the Australian dollar gained 1.98% (currently buying 76.75 US cents).

Global investment markets were also relatively subdued in September. The US Dow Jones Index fell 0.5%, the London FTSE gained 1.7%, the Japan Nikkei 225 fell 2.6% and the Hong Kong Hang Seng Index gained 1.4% in the month.

The Australian sharemarket retreated a by 1.9% in August, following the strong gains (+6.3%) recorded in July. As expected, the Reserve Bank of Australia (RBA) cut the official Cash Rate to a new record low of 1.5% per annum early in the month.

Global investment markets were mixed in August. The US Dow Jones Index fell 0.2%, the London FTSE gained 0.9%, the Japan Nikkei 225 gained 1.9% and the Hong Kong Hang Seng Index gained 5.0% in the month.

It was a stellar start to the financial year for the Australian sharemarket. The All Ordinaries index closed July at 5,644.0 points, marking a 6.3% gain for the month!

Global investment markets were positive as investors appeared to disregard the risks associated with 'Brexit' and a forthcoming election in the US. The US Dow Jones Index gained 2.8%, the London FTSE gained 3.4%, the Japan Nikkei 225 gained 6.4% and the Hong Kong Hang Seng Index gained 5.3% in the month.

After three consecutive months of gains in the Australian share market, the shock 'Brexit' vote to leave the European Union in late June caused the All Ordinaries index to decline by 2.5% for the month.

The All Ordinaries index closed June at 5,310.4 points, marking a 3.8% decline in value over the financial year (after recording only a modest gain of less than 1% in the financial year prior). As a matter of fact, the All Ordinaries index is now back to values last seen in October 2013!

After gaining 4.1% in March and 3.2% in April, the strength in the Australian share market continued in the month of May.

The All Ordinaries index gained a further 2.5%, to close May at 5,447.8 points. The Australian share market is now in positive territory for 2016, despite a very shaky start.

Global investment markets were mixed in April. The US Dow Jones Index gained 0.1%, the London FTSE fell 0.2%, the Japan Nikkei 225 index gained 3.4% and the Hong Kong Hang Seng Index fell by 1.2% in the month.

The rebound in Australian shares continued in April. The All Ordinaries index gained a further 3.2% to close the month at 5,316.0 points. While this marks the second consecutive month of solid gains, close attention will be on Treasurer Scott Morrison as he delivers his first Federal Budget tomorrow night.

Global investment markets generally exhibited marginal gains in April. The US Dow Jones Index gained 0.5%, the London FTSE gained 1.1% and the Hong Kong Hang Seng Index gained 1.4% in the month. Bucking the trend was the Japan Nikkei 225 index that declined by 0.6%.