International equities storm home

Australian investors had their brokers working overtime last month, as the storm that clouded the international equity market lifted slightly according to an Ausbil Dexia survey.

Australian investors had their brokers working overtime last month, as the storm that clouded the international equity market lifted slightly according to an Ausbil Dexia survey.

Equities led the charge with local stocks returning 1.7 per cent but easily beaten by international equities which returned 3.5 per cent.

This rise was also evident in the market as their performances included a nearly 12 per cent rise for the NASDAQ, just over six per cent for the S&P and the Dow im-proved 6.6 per cent.

Most markets were strong with Japan up a strong 7.2 per cent and in Europe the UK was up 4.8 per cent. France and Germany were also high performers in com-parison to themselves in recent times, with 1.3 per cent and 0.4 per cent increase, respectively.

Despite the those overall high performances, Asia’s markets wavered. Korea was down 2.4 per cent and Malaysia was down 0.3 per cent. Thailand was up 8.1 per cent, Hong Kong was up 1.5 per cent, with Singapore up 6.1 per cent.

Ausbil Dexia chief investment officer, Michael Wilson says the share markets are reasonably valued at the moment which resulted in the overall positive returns.

“Most signals for continued economic growth are healthy. World economies are going forward at a slightly slower pace and the markets have priced this in ac-cordingly,” he says.

“Rising profits have buoyed the domestic equity market and international equity investments delivered stronger returns on a marginally weaker Australian dollar”.