A Choppy Week for Markets: US Mixed, Australia Slides, NZ Holds Steady
United States
It was a mixed and volatile week for US markets, with some sharp daily swings but a fairly flat outcome once the dust settled.
Dow Jones: up around +2.5% for the week, helped by strong gains in industrial and value stocks.
S&P 500: slightly down on the week (around -0.1%), despite a strong rally late in the week.
Nasdaq: down roughly -1.8%, as tech stocks gave back some recent gains.
Markets were pulled in different directions, solid company earnings on one hand, but ongoing uncertainty around interest rates and inflation on the other. The result was a lot of movement during the week, without much overall progress for the broader market.
Australia
Australian shares had a tougher week.
ASX 200: down about -2.0% over the week.
Weakness in mining, materials, and tech stocks weighed on the market, as commodity prices softened and global risk appetite dipped. Australia tends to feel these moves more than other markets due to its heavy exposure to resources and cyclical sectors.
New Zealand
The New Zealand market was comparatively calm.
NZX 50: down around -0.2% for the week.
Local shares moved sideways for most of the week, with gains and losses largely cancelling each other out. Compared to offshore markets, NZ equities avoided the sharper swings seen elsewhere.
Commodities
Commodity prices were mixed to weaker over the week. Oil prices edged around as supply concerns competed with softer demand expectations, while industrial metals like copper eased slightly. This softness played a part in Australia’s underperformance, given the market’s strong exposure to mining and resources.
KiwiSaver Insight
Weeks like this are a good reminder that markets don’t move in straight lines. Even when headlines sound dramatic, the net result over a full week can be relatively modest.
For KiwiSaver members, short-term market noise can cause balances to flicker up and down, especially when global shares and commodities are volatile. But these week-to-week moves are usually far less important than:
how long you’re invested for
how diversified your investments are
staying consistent through market ups and downs
The underlying drivers of long-term returns: earnings growth, dividends, and time in the market. Don’t change just because of a choppy week.
The Bottom Line
This week was more about volatility than direction. US markets finished mixed, Australia felt pressure from weaker commodities, and New Zealand stayed relatively steady. It’s a good example of why short-term performance doesn’t always tell the full story and why long-term investing rewards patience.
Disclaimer
This information is for general guidance only and does not take into account your personal financial situation or objectives. Past performance is not a reliable indicator of future performance.