Pacific Perspectives

Howard Marks, one of the most respected value investors, who famously foresaw the dot-com bubble, is pointing out a handful of red flags in the market such as valuation that could mean poor returns over the long term or a sizable decline nearer term. In his latest memo to clients, the co-founder… Read More »Howard Marks sees cautionary signs of a bubble, says investors shouldn’t ignore today’s high market valuation

Australian shares closed marginally higher on Tuesday amid mixed sentiment from stock-pickers, as a rally in technology shares was tempered by losses from miners and utilities. The S&P/ASX 200 Index closed 27.7 points, or 0.3 per cent lower, at 8285.1 points. Eight of the index’s 11 sectors were in the… Read More »Tech rally lifts ASX but utilities, miners weigh; Fortescue slumps

The central bank should not ignore the fact that the actual inflation rate Australian consumers and businesses feel is now within the designated target range of 2-3 per cent. As Reserve Bank board members return from their holiday break, they will confront a momentous decision – whether to reduce the… Read More »RBA should cut rates and not be fooled by trimmed mean inflation

Australian shares are poised to open modestly lower as ASX futures responded to a sell-off in technology stocks on Wall Street that reversed earlier gains. Futures predicted the S&P/ASX 200 would slip 10 points at the open, or 0.1 per cent, casting doubt that it could continue its four-day rally.… Read More »ASX to slip, Wall St hit by selling wave

Stocks fell Tuesday as strong economic data raised questions about the possibility of Federal Reserve rate cuts later this year, leading to a spike in Treasury yields. Declines across major tech stocks also dragged the market lower. The S&P 500 dipped 1.11% to close at 5,909.03. The Dow Jones Industrial Average lost 178.20 points,… Read More »Dow falls more than 170 points, Nasdaq loses nearly 2% as Nvidia leads tech selloff: Live updates

The stock market enters 2025 looking something like the Kansas City Chiefs. The S&P 500 is coming off consecutive 20% annual gains, the Chiefs were winners of the past two Super Bowls. Fans of both are rabid for a three-peat. Yet in each case, the offense has been less dominant, the wins… Read More »The stock market is losing juggernaut status as 2025 begins, but that doesn’t mean bull is over

Superannuation investment managers predict the Reserve Bank will not cut rates until the middle of the year, but say investors should remain cautiously optimistic about the economy in 2025 despite continued inflation and potential volatility from Donald Trump’s second presidency. Five chief investment officers in charge of the nation’s $4.1… Read More »Top super investors dash pre-election rate cut hopes

Colonial First State’s head of investments Al Clark says a sharemarket bubble is brewing. But rather than selling, it is staying invested and ready for “damage control”. Al Clark once sat through a lunch with Jeremy Grantham and watched as the now famous value investor got pilloried by the audience.… Read More »How this $159b fund is profitably riding the ‘untethered’ sharemarket

One of Australia’s best-known contrarian investors Willy Packer warned against jumping into US shares this late in the cycle arguing the risk of loss is simply too big to chance at current prices. Mr Packer, who has managed the Packer & Co Investigator Trust for some of Western Australia’s wealthiest people… Read More »Veteran financial crash survivor warns of 2025 Wall Street bubble

The S&P 500 climbed alongside the Nasdaq Composite on Monday for back-to-back wins, as Wall Street rebounded from a losing week and chipmakers surged. The broad market index advanced 0.55% to end at 5,975.38, and the Nasdaq Composite added 1.24% to 19,864.98. The Dow Jones Industrial Average lagged, losing 25.57 points, or 0.06%, and closing at… Read More »S&P 500, Nasdaq post back-to-back gains on Monday as Nvidia shares rise: Live updates