The Sharemarket Financial Year in Review (and What BlackRock Is Watching Now)

If you have been watching the news and wondering whether your investments are about to get hit, you are not alone.  Over the past year, investors have had plenty to worry about. War, inflation, interest rate changes, property pressure and constant talk of an AI bubble.  Yet markets have not behaved the way many people expected.  So what actually happened? Why did some markets keep climbing despite all the uncertainty? And what does that mean for where your money is invested now?  In this episode, Nick Donato is joined by BlackRock strategist Beatrice Yeo to cut through the noise and explain the market moves that matter most to everyday investors.  They look at whether the AI boom still has room to run, why Australian shares have struggled to keep pace with global markets and how higher interest rates have quietly changed the investment landscape.  They also explore what BlackRock is watching across shares, bonds and property, and what could matter most for your portfolio over the next 12 months.  In this episode  Why the sharemarket kept rising when the headlines said it should be falling  The split-second decision that can turn a market dip into a costly mistake  Is the AI boom running out of steam, or is the next phase just beginning?  Why the next big winners may not be the companies everyone is watching  The blind spot that could be holding Australian investors back  How higher interest rates may have created opportunities hiding in plain sight  Why bonds are suddenly worth paying attention to again  The property opportunity that does not involve buying another house  Where BlackRock sees the biggest risks and opportunities now  What your portfolio may need to handle the next 12 months    You do not need to predict every market move, but it helps to understand what is driving markets, where the risks are shifting and whether your current portfolio is built for what comes next.  FURTHER LISTENING You can find our playlist full of episodes about investing here.   WANT PERSONALISED ADVICE FOR YOUR INVESTMENT STRATEGY?: Book an appointment with Guidance Financial Services here.   READY TO SORT YOUR FINANCES AND BUILD WEALTH WITH A CLEAR PLAN?: Wealth Builder is our specialised 12-month financial advice program for people in their 30s and 40s. You can learn more about it here.   FOLLOW NICK ON LINKEDIN HERE.  WANT TO STAY ACROSS WHAT'S MOVING THE MARKETS?: Subscribe to GainingCHOICE, our weekly email unpacking the key headlines and what to pay attention to.  GOT A FINANCE QUESTION FOR PAUL?: Send it to [email protected], and it could be featured in his Ask an Expert column each Sunday in The Age and Sydney Morning Herald.  You can also find all our links here  General advice disclaimer