- Global share markets were mixed in February, with markets higher in the UK and US but lower in Europe and Japan, while the Australian market rose 2.1%. - The Australian dollar rose against the US dollar in February, gaining 1.2% on the back of stronger commodity prices and expectations of further RBA rate hikes. - Key economic news in Australia included the RBA raising rates to 4%, strong jobs growth adding 52,700 jobs, and retail trade falling 0.7% in December.

1. BT Monthly Markets Chart Pack – February 2010 An overview of movements in global financial markets

3. … but continue to perform well over the long-term, despite some major market events Global shares measured by the MSCI World ex-Australia (net dividends) Index in A$. Source: BT Financial Group, MSCI Impact of major market events on global shares since 1987 Jan 91 Gulf War Feb 94 Bond Market Crash Aug 97 Asian Currency Crisis Jul 98 Russian Bond Crisis Jul 01 Tech Wreck Sep 01 Attack on Twin Towers Jun 07 US Sub-prime Crisis Nov 89 Fall of the Berlin Wall Mar 03 Troops enter Iraq

4. The Australian share market closed 2.1% higher in February Source: BT Financial Group, Premium Data S&P/ASX 200 Accumulation Index – year to 28 February 2010

7. The Australian dollar versus the US dollar… Currency markets – A$ per US dollar Source: BT Financial Group. Figures at 28 February 2010

8. the Euro… Currency markets – A$ per Euro Source: BT Financial Group. Figures at 28 February 2010

9. and the Yen Currency markets – A$ per Yen Source: BT Financial Group. Figures at 28 February 2010

11. Global share market returns Source: BT Financial Group 28 February 2010 1 year 3 years (pa) 5 years (pa) Global S&P 500 Index (US) 50.25% -7.75% -1.70% Nasdaq (US Tech.) 62.45% -2.52% 1.76% Nikkei 225 (Japan) 33.79% -16.83% -2.92% Hang Seng (Hong Kong) 60.86% 1.60% 7.74% DAX (Germany) 45.65% -5.88% 5.17% CAC (France) 37.24% -12.40% -1.63% FTSE 100 (UK) 39.80% -4.62% 1.51% Australia S&P/ASX 200 Accum. Ind. 44.70% -3.21% 6.68% S&P/ASX Small Ordinaries 63.05% -8.30% 4.28% S&P/ASX 300 Listed Prop. 42.60% -24.31% -7.44%

12. Short-term asset class performance Source: S&P/ASX 200 Accumulation Index, MSCI World ex-Australia (net dividends) Index in A$, S&P/ASX 300 Property Index, UBS Composite 0+ years index, Barclays Capital Global Aggregate Bond Index hedged to $A , UBS Bank Bill 0+ years 1-year rolling returns to 28 February 2010 (%) Best performing asset class for the year 2010 2009 2008 2007 2006 2005 2004 2003 2002 2001 2000 1999 1998 1997 1996 1995 Australian cash 3.48 7.12 6.83 6.16 5.80 5.57 5.03 4.86 4.91 6.35 5.17 5.11 5.49 7.28 7.87 5.98 Australian bonds 3.45 14.45 2.37 4.10 6.79 5.60 2.75 9.63 3.85 12.48 1.54 7.10 13.60 12.49 14.57 -1.31 Australian property 42.60 -58.24 -27.20 33.45 17.42 25.77 14.98 10.23 14.54 14.28 4.68 2.75 25.78 18.74 12.02 -3.19 Australian shares 45.06 -37.26 -0.76 23.77 23.08 29.57 25.77 -14.70 6.28 9.63 18.06 9.21 13.72 11.65 23.83 -7.87 International bonds 10.79 6.22 7.74 5.41 6.16 7.33 6.95 12.24 7.35 11.51 1.10 8.21 11.06 11.00 15.90 2.36 International shares 9.03 -22.15 -16.60 8.93 20.97 8.42 13.37 -32.73 -13.23 0.29 20.20 23.81 41.85 11.82 19.36 -2.81

13. Short-term asset class performance (cont’d) Source: S&P/ASX 200 Accumulation Index, MSCI World ex-Australia (net dividends) Index in A$, S&P/ASX 300 Property Index, UBS Composite 0+ years index, Barclays Capital Global Aggregate Bond Index hedged to $A 1-year returns to 28 February 2010 (%) 28 February 2009 28 February 2010 Australian bonds Listed property Australian shares Global bonds Global shares

14. Long-term asset class performance Note: Accumulated returns based on $1,000 invested in December 1984 Source: S&P/ASX 300 Accumulation Index, MSCI World ex-Australia (net dividends) Index in A$, S&P/ASX 300 Property Index, UBS Composite 0+ years index, UBS Bank Bill 0+ years 28 February 2010 Australian bonds Listed property Australian shares Cash Global shares

15. Oil prices closed February 9.3% higher amid reports that global demand will rise throughout 2010 Source: BT Financial Group. West Texas Intermediate oil price at 28 February 2010 Oil prices – US$ per barrel