Investment markets and key developments over the past week

While most share markets managed to remain above recent lows they had a volatile week, falling back again thanks largely to ongoing worries about Chinese economic growth and the Fed, with indications from the ECB that it is prepared to ease further if needed - “the Draghi put” - providing only partial support. Over the week US shares lost 3.4%, Eurozone shares fell 2.9%, Japanese shares fell 7%, Chinese shares fell 2.2% and the Australian share market lost 4.2%. Commodity prices were mixed, with oil up but metals down and the combination of global worries and poor Australian growth saw the $A fall to just above $US0.69 for the first time since 2009. Bond yields declined as deflation fears and safe haven demand persisted. Read our full weekly market wrap here: (VIEW LINK)