Invest
Markets in for perfect storm
Investors have been warned to expect heightened volatility over the next few months, with a combination of key events set to threaten market stability.

Markets in for perfect storm
Investors have been warned to expect heightened volatility over the next few months, with a combination of key events set to threaten market stability.

AMP chief economist Shane Oliver says the next couple of months are likely to be a perfect storm for markets.
“September and October are often rough months seasonally and various event risks loom in the months ahead including ongoing debate around the Fed, the Austrian presidential election, Italian banks, the Italian Senate referendum, the US election with support for [Donald] Trump edging up and global growth generally,” Mr Oliver said.
In Europe, the long-awaited Italian referendum will be held in October which will reveal whether the government will able to pass the reforms needed to encourage growth and reduce national debt which is currently sitting at 130 per cent of GDP.
If passed it would boost confidence that the government can deal with the looming Italian banking crisis, with the county’s nonperforming loans now totalling €360 billion.
A failed referendum, however, would have serious ramifications for Italy and its place in the EU, with eurosceptic party Five Star Movement continuing to gain political ground.
Meanwhile, focus is likely to increase on the US election with the first US presidential debate scheduled for Monday night (Tuesday morning AEST), in turn heightening investor anxiety about a possible Trump presidency.
Further speculation surrounds the US Federal Reserve and the impact of an anticipated rate hike later this year.
“Our base case remains for the Fed to hike at its December meeting, but this will require more consistently positive economic data from the US over the next three months. For share markets, the Fed remains broadly supportive, although volatility will no doubt increase again as we get closer to the December meeting,” Mr Oliver said.
Looking domestically, the housing markets in Sydney and Melbourne are expected begin to slow in the coming months.
“Dwelling price gains are expected to slow, as the heat comes out of Sydney and Melbourne thanks to poor affordability, tougher lending standards and as apartment supply ramps up,” Mr Oliver said.
Meanwhile, historically low interest rates continue to curb returns from cash and deposit for investors.
Despite these concerns, investors should see improvement in equities longer term.
“After any short-term weakness, we anticipate shares to trend higher over the next 12 months helped by OK valuations, continuing easy global monetary conditions and continuing moderate global economic growth,” Mr Oliver said.

Stock market
Ethical investing tipped to drive ETF market
Following a volatile 2020 where investors poured into ETFs, shareholders are tipped to focus on ethical investing and technology as the recovery from the COVID-19 pandemic continues, an industry expe...Read more

Stock market
‘The concept of collective investing is here to stay’
The phenomenon of retail investors acting as a collective, led by social media and celebrity investors, is here to stay, says one expert. ...Read more

Stock market
What is short selling and should you do it?
Short selling stocks may sound like a good investment strategy when you’re after quick and big returns, but is it worth the risk? Here’s a rundown of why shorting stocks may not be a sound stock t...Read more

Stock market
How much insider trading really happens?
There are at least four times as many people who get away with insider trading than the number of those caught by prosecutors, new research has revealed. ...Read more

Stock market
Why you should be wary of the tech stock bandwagon
After a strong year of tech stock gains, tech shares have been on a decline in recent weeks as increasing bond yields rattle equity markets. ...Read more

Stock market
GameStop set to release first earnings since Reddit stock market rally
The video game retailer at the centre of the WallStreetBets saga is set to post its first quarterly market update since the fiasco began, with social-media investors heavily tipped to continue backing...Read more

Stock market
What is thematic investing and why it could be a fad
Long-term investors are being urged to ignore market fads and instead focus on identifying major socioeconomic, environmental and technological themes, an industry expert has explained. ...Read more

Stock market
ASX 300 companies cash in on JobKeeper scheme
Most of Australia’s ASX 300 companies that received JobKeeper payments did not need the subsidy as they recorded increases in profits throughout the calendar year, according to a study. ...Read more

Is the market overheating; should ETFs take your fancy, and what’s happening to the low and middle income tax offset?
Listen now

Home values up 30% (or are they); NFTs taking the world by storm, and why Keating thinks Aussies will be ‘poor’ in retirement
Listen now

Raging floods, the tech stock bubble and the ongoing SG debate
Listen now

Meet the Manager with Trilogy’s Philip Ryan: RBA rates and property price growth
Listen now

Stock market
Ethical investing tipped to drive ETF market
Following a volatile 2020 where investors poured into ETFs, shareholders are tipped to focus on ethical investing and technology as the recovery from the COVID-19 pandemic continues, an industry expe...Read more

Stock market
‘The concept of collective investing is here to stay’
The phenomenon of retail investors acting as a collective, led by social media and celebrity investors, is here to stay, says one expert. ...Read more

Stock market
What is short selling and should you do it?
Short selling stocks may sound like a good investment strategy when you’re after quick and big returns, but is it worth the risk? Here’s a rundown of why shorting stocks may not be a sound stock t...Read more

Stock market
How much insider trading really happens?
There are at least four times as many people who get away with insider trading than the number of those caught by prosecutors, new research has revealed. ...Read more

Stock market
Why you should be wary of the tech stock bandwagon
After a strong year of tech stock gains, tech shares have been on a decline in recent weeks as increasing bond yields rattle equity markets. ...Read more

Stock market
GameStop set to release first earnings since Reddit stock market rally
The video game retailer at the centre of the WallStreetBets saga is set to post its first quarterly market update since the fiasco began, with social-media investors heavily tipped to continue backing...Read more

Stock market
What is thematic investing and why it could be a fad
Long-term investors are being urged to ignore market fads and instead focus on identifying major socioeconomic, environmental and technological themes, an industry expert has explained. ...Read more

Stock market
ASX 300 companies cash in on JobKeeper scheme
Most of Australia’s ASX 300 companies that received JobKeeper payments did not need the subsidy as they recorded increases in profits throughout the calendar year, according to a study. ...Read more