Investors continued to focus on rampant inflation and, in turn, potential changes in monetary policy settings.
By month end, five interest rate increases in the US had been priced in to markets; a more aggressive tightening in policy settings than had been anticipated previously.
These evolving expectations saw bond yields rise in all major regions – resulting in negative returns from fixed income markets – and
spooked share markets. Major equity indices in the US, Europe and Australia all closed January substantially lower.
Smart Private Wealth, part of the Smart Business Solutions Group, has been honoured as a recipient of the prestigious 2025 Barry Lambert Award, recognising exceptional community fundraising and volunteer work within the Count Financial network.
Shannon Smit, Founding Director of Smart Private Wealth, has been awarded the prestigious Excellence in Innovation award at the 2025 Count Financial Awards, recognising her ground-breaking leadership in transforming how financial advice and professional services are delivered in Australia.
