RHO Archives - Raiz Invest

The ASX 200 dropped another 2.0% this week, marking its fourth consecutive weekly decline and extending losses to 9.0% from record highs after Trump confirmed that Australia would not be exempt from tariffs on steel and aluminium. This news weighed heavily on investor sentiment, with 8 out of 11 sectors closing in the red. The technology sector led losses, down 4.3%, as several major stocks, including WiseTech and CAR, traded ex-dividend. With just 5 gains in the last 20 trading sessions, the Australian market remains under pressure amid ongoing global trade tensions. 

Introducing the all-new Raiz Rewards—redesigned to be smarter, more engaging, and effortless to use. At Raiz, we believe investing should be simple, including growing your portfolio while you shop. That’s why we’ve made Raiz Rewards easier, faster, and more rewarding than ever.  

What’s new?  

Better search & filters – Find the brands you love in seconds  

Improved tracking page – See all your rewards at a glance  

Sleek new layout – A more seamless and enjoyable experience   

The ASX 200 fell another 2.7% this week, closing below 8,000pts for the first time in six months, extending its decline to 7.1% from record highs just three weeks ago. The market initially gained 0.9% on Monday, but four consecutive days of selling erased those early gains. 10 out of 11 sectors ended lower, with energy stocks down 7.5%, as oil prices hit a three-year low, and financials fell 4.6%, weighed down by insurers facing losses from tropical Cyclone Alfred. Ongoing uncertainty around US tariffs added to the market’s volatility, with investors struggling to gauge the long-term implications of Trump’s escalating trade policies.

At Raiz, we’re always looking for new ways to empower Australians to take control of their financial future. That’s why we’re excited to introduce Raiz Your Game, our brand-new podcast hosted by Brendan Malone, CEO & Managing Director of Raiz Invest.

Each month, Brendan will sit down with top financial experts, authors, and industry leaders to bring you practical investing tips, money hacks, and inspiring stories that help you make smarter financial decisions. Whether you’re new to investing or looking to level up, this podcast is designed to give you real-world insights you can actually use.

In 2025, the cost of living is higher than ever, and many Australians are looking for ways to supplement their income. Whether you’re a young professional working towards a home deposit, a parent balancing work and family, or just looking for ways to boost your financial security, a side hustle could be the answer. Not only can it help cover everyday expenses, but it can also provide an opportunity to grow your investments and build long-term financial stability. 

With so many options out there, finding the right one can feel overwhelming. The good news? There’s something for everyone—whether you want to work online, in the gig economy, or build passive income over time. Here are some of the best side hustles that can actually work. 

The ASX 200 fell 1.5% this week, extending its decline to 4.6% below all-time highs reached just two weeks ago. The selloff was driven by weak corporate earnings and renewed tariff concerns, with 8 out of 11 sectors closing lower. The technology sector led declines, tumbling 12.3% after Wisetech’s governance issues sent the stock down 35% YTD. However, there were some positives—Australia’s monthly CPI held steady at 2.5% in January, despite an 8.9% MoM rise in energy prices as rebates rolled off. Encouragingly, more inflation components are running below 2% YoY than above 3%, reinforcing expectations that price pressures are easing. 

Global markets struggled this week as concerns over economic growth and inflation weighed on sentiment. The Reserve Bank of Australia (RBA) cut rates by 25bps to 4.10%, its first cut since November 2022. While expected, the RBA maintained a hawkish stance, signalling caution over further easing. The ASX 200 fell 3.0%, its worst weekly loss since September 2022, with financial stocks down 7.5% following weak earnings results. The February reporting season has been mixed, with banking and mining sectors underperforming, while market volatility remains elevated.

Global markets had a strong week, rallying on optimism over potential Ukraine peace talks, robust corporate earnings, and resilience in tech stocks. Investors largely looked past hotter-than-expected U.S. inflation data, with markets still pricing in rate cuts despite a more cautious stance from central banks.

In Australia, the ASX 200 gained 0.5%, reaching a new closing high on Friday as markets brushed off concerns about U.S. reciprocal tariffs. Industrials (+2.9%) led the charge, while Healthcare (-3.7%) struggled, weighed down by CSL’s results. The February reporting season is in full swing, with most earnings meeting or exceeding expectations, though some outlooks have disappointed, leading to sharp market reactions. Next week will be a key period for earnings, alongside Tuesday’s RBA decision, where markets are pricing in a 90% chance of a 25bps rate cut, though some analysts believe the odds are closer to 50/50.

Global equity markets delivered a mixed performance this week as investors grappled with ongoing trade tensions, central bank decisions, corporate earnings, and key economic data. Tariffs remain front and centre, with Trump’s administration pausing duties on Mexico and Canada while moving forward with a 10% tariff on China. This caused ripple effects across markets, while gold prices hit near all-time highs as investors sought safety.

In Australia, the ASX 200 finished 0.2% lower for the week. Tariff headlines triggered early volatility, but the index rebounded midweek amid optimism around commodity price gains and hopes of progress in U.S. trade negotiations. Mining stocks led the recovery, while tech and consumer companies kicked off the February earnings season. The Australian dollar rose 0.9% to US62.74c, bouncing back after a volatile few sessions.