Monthly Economic Commentary

The global economy is forecast to slow marginally this year, although it is still expected to expand at close to its long-term trend rate. In its latest report (July), the International Monetary Fund (IMF) is forecasting global growth to be 3.0% this year and 3.4% in 2027. In the IMF’s words, ‘the global economy as a whole has, so far, weathered the shock from the war in the Middle East better than feared’, with ‘global growth in the first quarter of 2026 stronger than expected’. A key reason for this solid outcome has been that the effects of this war with Iran have been ‘partly offset by accelerated momentum in the global technology cycle thanks to advances in artificial intelligence (AI) and its adoption’, adding that ‘core inflation has remained relatively stable to date in most countries’. Growth in the advanced economies is forecast to be 1.7% this year and 1.8% in 2027, with ‘risks still tilted to the downside’

In the case of the US, the annual growth rate was 2.1% in the June quarter, with the IMF forecasting growth of 2.3% for the whole of 2026 and 2.2% for 2027, although the US administration is aiming for a higher rate of growth than this, with fiscal stimulus, reduced regulation and incentives for investment aimed at lifting economic activity over time. While the annual inflation rate reached its highest level in three years in May (4.2%), mainly due to rising oil prices, the rate had fallen back to 3.4% by July, reducing the likelihood of a near-term interest rate hike. Growth for the euro zone is forecast to remain weak (0.9% this year and 1.2% in 2027), while Japan is forecast to grow by only 0.6% this year and 0.7% in 2027.

The Australian economy grew by 0.3% in the March quarter and by 2.5% over the year. On a per capita basis, growth contracted by 0.1% over the quarter and has now contracted for 10 of the last 15 quarters. Growth could slip lower over coming months due to the Reserve Bank (RBA) having tightened monetary policy by raising its ‘cash rate’ three times this year in response to rising inflation. However, the annual headline rate declined to 3.5% in July (with a ‘trimmed mean’ rate of 3.6%), somewhat reducing the likelihood of a further near-term increase in rates by the RBA, especially given the weak state of the domestic economy.

Most share markets were on a broadly upwards trend from April last year until the end of February this year, largely due to declining interest rates in most of the major economies. However, with the outbreak of the Iran war, most markets fell heavily in March before beginning to rise again in April. This year, up to 28 August, overall market movements have included rises of 13% for the broad US market (S&P500), 14% for the technology-focused Nasdaq, 9% for the UK and a hefty 32% for Japan. Most European markets also rose (Germany was up 9% and France 3%), while India fell 9% and the Australian market rose 5%.

Major sovereign bond markets have been volatile for some time, with yields (interest rates) rising and falling in line with the outlook for inflation. The US 10-year Treasury bond yield was pushed to a record low of 0.54% on 9 March 2020 (by ‘QE’) during the pandemic but touched 5.0% in October 2023 before sliding back and then rising again. It was 4.72% on 28 August this year. The Australian 10-year bond yield was 0.57% on 8 March 2020 but reached 5.12% on 18 May and was still a high 5.10% on 28 August this year. Bond yields could move lower (and prices rise) over coming months if inflation declines.

Fiducian’s diversified funds are currently above benchmark for international shares and slightly under benchmark for domestic shares and listed property. Exposure to bond markets is close to benchmark, while cash holdings remain below benchmark.

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