The week began with the S&P 500 falling by 1.6% and the price of oil tumbling by 6% (Brent).

Why? Most put it down to concerns about the Delta variant.

Yet both the S&P500 and price of Brent are set to end the week ahead of where they began…..

This was cause for us to reflect on whether the volatility we see in markets is always justified by a change in fundamentals.

Since at least AD 1651 there has been debate amongst citizens and rulers alike, regarding the exercise of power and the proper role of the state.

As COVID hit, we have seen the role of the state transform. We have also seen weaknesses emerge in the current model of security, peace, and prosperity.

These changes provide an opportunity for patient, active, long term investors.

With profit reporting season rapidly approaching, we heard nothing but crickets on the ASX…..
Much of the focus was therefore on the Reserve Bank’s meeting on Tuesday.

We explore what they are looking to see before raising rates and what it means for your portfolio.

After a whirlwind year, the Australian market delivered a return of 28.5% (S&P/ASX300 Index).

What drove the rebound in the market this year?

We provide a recap of the stories that Mattered this year.

The sell-off in US equities instigated last week culminated in…well, not much at all.
What triggered the round trip over the last week and what does it tell us about what matters in the world of macro-economics?

An update on two companies that have been a work in progress over the past year.