MARKET UPDATE
The number of COVID-19 cases has now reached over 10 million worldwide. While the number of cases in the USA continue to grow from the apparent increased levels of testing, a number of states have reversed their decision to ease the lockdown restrictions. Cases continue to increase in countries with low GDP, while it appears that Europe and Ireland have this contained, for now.
Markets initally took a hit in mid-March but stablised in late March and April due to the rapid repsonse of authorities. Governments introduced interest rates cuts, asset purchases and coporate funding supports. The ECB increased its pandemic stimulus programme to €1.35 trillion earlier this month while the US Federal reserve has put togerther a $3 trillion coronavirus stimulus pack.
The expectation of a vaccine being developed is providing positivity for longer term recovery in 2021. However, the fear of a second wave of COVID-19, the reintroduction of lockdown, continuing global tensions, and the ongoing Brexit negitation will leading to continued volatlity in the markets.
A diversified portfolio suitable to your investment risk profile will continue to help you meet your investment objectives while this uncertainity continues.
MORTGAGE NEWS
Surprisingly, the demand for property has not fallen in the midst of the recent pandemic, however the number of approvals fell by 62% last month. Lending institutions have introduced stricter conditions for mortgage approval. AIB has stopped lending to those in receipt of the temporary wage subsidy scheme. Permenant TSB will allow customers on the wage subsidy scheme to draw down their loans “subject to their employers providing assurance on the sustainability of their income when the TWSS comes to an end”. Finance Ireland, a non-bank lender which is more than 30% owned by the State, will not allow loans to be drawn down until a return to regular income can be evidence, while Ulster Bank will insist that where one applicant in a couple is on a wage subsidy, the second applicant who is not must be able to cover the entire loan by themselves. This will make borrowing very difficult for a lot of couples. The speed of our economic recovery will hugely affect the levels of approval and lending for the foreseeable. |