Economic Update
Tariff uncertainty and what this means for retirement income
One of the keys drivers of happiness in retirement is the peace of mind that comes from financial security. However, US tariff announcements since the start of April have added uncertainty to financial markets, adding an extra layer of complexity for many retirees. Policy positions have fluctuated as tariffs are paused, reversed or adjusted, leaving…
Read MoreASX reporting season: Look for earnings quality and strategic clarity
Earnings season is coming up for ASX investors. Following is what to look for… Companies face sustained pressure from high rates • JB HiFi and Wesfarmers’ Kmart focus points. ASX-listed companies will reveal their half year results in the coming weeks – and investors should be looking for high quality earnings and consistent…
Read MoreEconomic and market overview
A rally in the second half of the month helped global share markets generate solid gains in January, extending the rally from November and December. The latest indicators suggest economic conditions are holding up quite well in most regions, which augurs well for corporate earnings. With inflation still above central bank targets, investors pared back…
Read MoreMarket Update and News (Feb 2024)
CONTENTS Economic Update Falling inflation – what does it mean for investors? Want to earn more and keep your Age Pension? As scams evolve, so can you Australian household wealth 5 tips for managing your SMSF Mortgage vs super: where should I put my extra money? The transfer balance cap – how does it work…
Read MoreFactor Investing Explained
Risk vs reward: Factor Investing Explained. Global markets comprise dozens of asset classes and millions of individual securities, making it challenging to understand what really matters for your portfolio. But there are a few important drivers that can help explain returns across asset classes – these are known as Factors. Factor investing, also called “smart…
Read MoreEconomic & Market Update
October was another difficult month for financial markets, partly reflecting an acceptance among investors that interest rates are likely to remain high for longer than was previously anticipated. Geopolitical risk ramped up too, following conflict in Israel and Palestine. Australian shares were down nearly 4% over the month and overseas stock markets closed lower too,…
Read More2022-23: investment returns rebound
2022-23: investment returns rebound – but is it sustainable? Introduction The financial year 2022-23 witnessed a noteworthy rebound in investment returns, recovering from the negative performance experienced in 2021-22. This note reviews the past 12 months in investment markets and looks at the outlook. Key points – After the rough ride of 2021-22, 2022-23 turned…
Read More2023-2024 Federal Budget
This years 2023-24 Federal Budget is expected to return to a surplus of $4b thanks to a continuing revenue windfall. Key measures include cost of living support, more spending on aged care and a move to slow NDIS growth. Read the full budget summary to find out what it means for you. The 2023-24 Budget…
Read MoreEconomic update February 2023
Economic update February 2023. Risk assets performed strongly in January, following further indications that inflation may have peaked in key regions. Global economic growth forecasts were lowered by both the World Bank and the IMF, but investors appeared to brush off these concerns. Instead attention was focused on the central bank meetings, to see whether…
Read MoreThe RBA hikes rates by another 0.25% – are we there yet?
Key points The RBA hiked again by 0.25% taking the cash rate to 3.35%. It continues to expect to increase interest rates further. We remain of the view the cash rate is near the top as: rate hikes impact with a lag; inflationary pressures are easing globally and showing signs of easing here too; the…
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