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Investing Insights with Tony Alexander: Is property making a comeback?

Investing Insights

In August’s report, independent economist Tony Alexander finds investors are stepping up their asset-buying plans while residential property creeps back into the mix.

  • Tony Alexander

    Independent economist

Published date,31 August 2022

2 min read

The header image for Tony Alexander's Investing Insights survey for August 2022. "Aug 2022" is in large pink text in the centre of the image, surrounded by a photo of Tony Alexander, a birds-eye photo of a residential street, and a close-up photo of two hands typing on a phone.

Each month, Tony surveys over 28,000 Kiwis to find out what they’re investing in and how they’re investing in it. He then analyses their responses and reports on how investment preferences are changing over time. This gives us a look into people’s thoughts on different shares, types of property, active vs passive fund management, whether to use an advisor or an app, which countries to invest in, and much more.

Below, we look at some of the key trends in Tony’s August survey.

Adding to assets

The proportion of investors planning to add to their portfolios is at a six month high, with 75% of respondents thinking about investing more in the coming year. That’s up from 71% last month and a notable increase on June’s low of 69%. 

Back in June, wholesale interest rates were climbing as central banks zeroed in on inflation with aggressive monetary tightening. This, combined with broader concerns about a global slowdown, weighed on share market sentiment. 

These concerns haven’t totally vanished. However, medium-to-long-term interest rates have eased on growing confidence that inflation—while still very high—will fall away quickly through 2023 and into 2024.

Bar graph showing intention to add money to existing or new investments in the coming year. Intentions peaked at 88% of respondents in September 2021 before hitting a low of 69% in June 2022. In August, intentions rose to 75% of respondents.

Hot property?

Interest in buying residential property is at its highest level since the survey began in October 2021. A net 16% of respondents plan to purchase property, up from 12% last month. 

The apparent shift in sentiment could reflect easing fixed mortgage rates, signs of improved access to bank finance, recent house price falls, as well as a shift in political opinion polls (the opposition party has indicated, if elected, it would change some recently introduced housing-market policies, like the brightline test and the removal of interest expense deductibility). 

Bar graph showing net intentions of purchasing residential property. A net 16% of respondents plan to purchase property, up from 12% last month. 

Despite this, respondents’ future investment plans remain firmly in favour of shares, managed funds and/or exchange-traded funds (ETFs), with over 80% (net) of investors expressing interest in buying these asset classes.

Bar graph showing net intentions of purchasing shares/managed funds and ETFs. 80% (net) of investors expressing interest in buying these asset classes, up from a recent low of 71% in July.

The bold type

Respondents who are considering investing in managed funds continue to overwhelmingly prefer growth or aggressive styles. Interest in conservative or defensively-positioned funds has dropped further from its June high. 

Bar graph showing type of managed fund preferred by respondents—either conservative + defensive, or growth + aggressive. Preference toward growth managed funds grew to a high of 71%, while preference toward defensive managed funds fell to 4%.

Mind the gap

The proportion of respondents who intend to invest in shares via a KiwiSaver scheme rather than through a non-KiwiSaver managed fund has climbed to 14%—its highest reading since the survey began last year. 

Interest in investing in non-KiwiSaver managed funds has also risen slightly this month. This continues to be the preferred option of the two, but the gap is closing.

Bar graph showing intention to buy shares through a KiwiSaver managed fund compared to a non-KiwiSaver fund. Preference toward non-KiwiSaver funds has grown to 20%, and preference toward KiwiSaver funds has grown to 14%.
A picture of a hand holding a physical copy of Tony Alexander's Investing Insights report for August 2022, in front of a solid light pink background.

Download the report

For a deeper dive, download the full Investing Insights report for August 2022 [PDF, 1.59 MB].

Investing Insights is conducted in partnership with Tony Alexander. All analysis is Tony’s and not influenced by Sharesies.

Ok, now for the legal bit

Investing involves risk. You aren’t guaranteed to make money, and you might lose the money you start with. We don’t provide personalised advice or recommendations. Any information we provide is general only and current at the time written. You should consider seeking independent legal, financial, taxation or other advice when considering whether an investment is appropriate for your objectives, financial situation or needs.

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