In a statement, CMC Markets said news about election policies and the shifting popularity of the two major parties is affecting investor sentiment nationwide, but added that overall sentiment is positive, despite a series of peaks and troughs.
“This year’s election is the first double dissolution election since 1987, meaning policy intentions are more important than usual,” said CMC Markets chief market strategist Michael McCarthy.
CMC Markets is tracking the effects of the election on sentiment with a new index, the Election Sentiment Index (ESI), which was launched on 10 June.
The index uses international benchmarks to strip out the influence of commodity prices, market size and global sentiment to give an indicator of the influence of election news.
Bank reform policy and a narrowing gap in popularity between the two major parties has so far weighed negatively on stock, the statement said, but noted that a lack of political news between the 3 June and 7 June had curiously had a positive effect.
“The ESI responded to a period of little campaign news flow last week with a gain, confirming that as far as markets are concerned, no political news is good news,” the statement said.
Read more:
OneVue partners with Sentry on SMAs
Equity Trustees announces new senior manager
Mining 'cliff' at the halfway point: NAB
US to keep rates on hold: AMP Capital
Energy Super restructures leadership