Oliver's Insights - Shares Hit A Speed Bump

AMP - Oliver's Insights

Key Points

Shares have fallen over the last week on the back of concerns about China’s tightening, the regulation of banks in the US and sovereign risk.
This is consistent with our expectation for rougher and more constrained gains in share markets this year after the strong rebound from March 2009. Notwithstanding increased volatility, rising earnings are likely to underpin a rising trend in shares this year.
The experience of 2004, when US shares spent nine months stuck in a range, and when Asian shares, some commodities and the Australian dollar had a decent correction but all within the context of a still rising trend, is a reasonable guide as to what to expect this year.