Econosights: Global labour markets are worse than they appear

Econosights: Global labour markets are worse than they appear Key points Global labour markets have proved resilient during the COVID-19 shock. One of the reasons for this is the utilisation of wage subsidy schemes. These schemes mask stood down or underutilised workers, keeping the unemployment rate artificially lower than it would be otherwise. The labour force participation rate has also plummeted in developed countries which has helped to keep the unemployment rate down. These discouraged …

Five reasons why this downturn and subsequent recovery are different – and where are we in the Australian recovery now?

Five reasons why this downturn and subsequent recovery are different – and where are we in the Australian recovery now? Key points This economic downturn and recovery differs from those of the past in that: the downturn was driven by a government shutdown; fiscal and monetary support has been faster and bigger; forced asset sales have been headed off; it’s dependent on containing coronavirus; and it’s seeing more rapid structural change. As a result, we …

What a COVID vaccine means for stocks

What a COVID-19 vaccine means for stocks AMP Capital’s Australian Equities Portfolio Manager, Dermot Ryan, shares why a vaccine could be great news for stocks in 2021. In a massive healthcare breakthrough in the race to save and protect lives from COVID-19, Pfizer and Moderna have both announced some highly promising vaccine trial results. All going to plan, this should save lives and, in time, help us return to some form of normality. While it’s …

Market Update 20 November 2020

Market Update 20 November 2020   Investment markets and key developments over the past week While the US S&P 500 fell slightly over the last week on the back of rising new coronavirus cases and tightening restrictions in the US, other major global share markets rose helped by good vaccine news. Australian shares continued to recover with hopes that quick action will limit a covid outbreak in South Australia and as economic data continued to surprise …

Still The Lucky Country – five reasons why Australian shares are likely to outperform in the year ahead

Still The Lucky Country – five reasons why Australian shares are likely to outperform in the year ahead Key points Australia continues to perform better in “controlling” coronavirus, it has a stronger economic support policy response, its major trading partners in Asia are in better shape, the drag from the mining bust is over and it should benefit from a cyclical global recovery in 2021. This is likely to result in a stronger recovery for …

The benefits of contactless payments

The growth of contactless payments COVID-19 has accelerated our move towards a cashless society. If you can’t tell your Apple Pay from your AirPlay, now’s a good time to consider the benefits of contactless payments. It’s a very 2020 story. Your new homemade breadmaking skills are as uneven as the lump you lifted from your oven, so you pop down to the bakers for their tasty sourdough rolls. But as you make it to the …

Market Update 13 November 2020

Market Update 13 November 2020 Investment markets and key developments over the past week Global share markets rose further over the last week helped by positive news regarding a vaccine for coronavirus but gains were reduced later in the week by rising US coronavirus cases and the threat this posed to the economy with no progress on more fiscal stimulus. Australia shares rose sharply again helped by the positive global lead, a surge in energy stocks …

5 ways to shop smarter this christmas

5 ways to shop a little smarter this Christmas If cash flow is looking a tad grim this year, here are some ideas to up the presents under the tree, noting it’s the presence around it that really counts. We don’t need to list the events of 2020 to say it’s been a big one, particularly as we approach the festive season, where many common face-to-face interactions will be limited to a phone or video …

How financial advice can help

How financial advice can help Even if a person has a small asset base and no funds to invest, the help and guidance of a financial adviser can be valuable. Accumulating wealth is a long-term process. It usually occurs parallel to a person’s professional, private and family life. A good approach can be to have a few key strategies in place so that wealth can grow through life’s journey. It’s perhaps more common to seek financial …

How to enjoy a credit-free COVID Christmas

How to enjoy a credit-free COVID Christmas! After the year we’ve had, Australians may be more tempted to rely on debt to meet their holiday obligations. But there are other ways to get through the festive season without breaking the bank… At the best of times, Christmas can put a pretty severe strain on our hip pockets. And let’s face it, this isn’t the best of times. You don’t have to have lived through Melbourne’s …