September 2024 Quarterly Market Update
Read our latest market and economic update for the third quarter of 2024
Key points:
Equity All-Time Highs: Despite volatility caused by a spike in US unemployment and an unexpected rate hike in Japan, global equities continued to rise in Q3 2024, with many major equity markets reaching all-time highs.
U.S. Rate Cut in September: The US Federal Reserve cut rates for the first time since they started hiking in 2022.
Bond Prices Rose Off Both Real and Expected Rate Cuts: Over the quarter both global and Australian bonds rose as central banks continued to cut rates globally and Australia comes closer to its first rate cut, which we expect to occur in 2025.
Australian Dollar appreciates: The AUD appreciated against the USD as the Federal Reserve cut rates while the RBA continues to wait for the Australian economy to slow further.
Cautious Q4 Outlook: We expect to see market volatility in the fourth quarter of 2024, especially following the U.S. election.
Sector Performance: Performance in the third quarter of 2024 was found across a broader range of sectors than previous quarters as we saw some rotation away from technology stocks and into more defensive sectors and small cap stocks that had been neglected earlier in the year.