Key points:
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After phasing down its quantitative easing (QE) program all year the US Fed has finally ended it. Monetary tightening still looks unlikely until mid-next year at the earliest and is contingent on further improvement in the economy and higher inflation.
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QE has worked – the US economy is now well into expansion mode and looking a lot stronger than Europe and Japan that have taken longer to adopt it.
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While the ending of QE could contribute more volatility to shares it has largely been anticipated. With the US likely to continue growing & monetary conditions expected to remain easy for some time to come the cyclical bull market in shares likely has further to go.
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The ending of US QE is also positive for Australia as it is a sign that the world’s biggest economy is better and removes a source of upwards pressure on the $A.