Welcome back to another episode of the 360 Money Matters Podcast! We are back again with our monthly 'Market Wrap' segment.

In this episode, we explore into a comprehensive market wrap for May, examining global economic shifts and what they mean for investors. We discuss the S&P 500's sharp rebound of 5.89%, which, while impressive, mostly recovers previous losses, and we explore growing investor caution amid U.S. political unpredictability, especially tariff threats from Donald Trump that could impact companies like Apple and broader market confidence. We also look at China's liquidity injection of $138 billion in response to trade tensions, the steady 4.2% rise in the Australian market, and potential RBA interest rate cuts aimed at easing mortgage pressure. While the Australian economy shows signs of a "soft landing," we note that quality of life and discretionary income remain under strain.

Tune in to hear how global market shifts, political tensions, and economic policies could impact your investments—and what you can do to stay financially on track.

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This podcast contains information that is general in nature. It does not take into account the objectives, financial situation, or needs of any particular person. You need to consider your financial situation and needs before making any decisions based on this information. This information is provided by Billy Amiridis & Andrew Nicolaou of 360 Financial Strategists Pty Ltd, authorized representatives and credit representatives of Akumin Financial Planning – AFSL 232706

Episode Highlights

• Strong S&P 500 rebound in May with a 5.89% gain

• Market volatility fueled by Trump's tariff threats and uncertainty around the U.S.-China trade negotiations

• Apple used as a case study to highlight the real-world impact of proposed tariffs and manufacturing shifts

• China injects $138 billion in liquidity to counter trade tension effects and stimulate the economy

• Australian market rises 4.2%, echoing global recovery patterns

• Reserve Bank of Australia delivers a 25 basis point rate cut, with more cuts expected in 2025

• Inflation stabilizes within the RBA's 2–3% target band, while GDP growth forecasts are revised down

• Discussion on Victoria's post-COVID fiscal policy and its long-term economic consequences

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