The five reasons why the $A is likely to rise further – if recession is avoided Key points – After a soft patch since 2021, there is good reason to expect the $A to rise into next year: it’s undervalued; interest rate differentials look likely to shift in favour of Australia; sentiment towards the $A is negative; commodities still look to have entered a new super cycle; and Australia is a long way from the …
Download PDF version Not another Eurozone crisis! The rise of the far right in Europe, the French election and implications for investors Key points – The success of far-right political parties in EU parliamentary elections & the calling of an election in France have boosted uncertainty by risking a return to the Eurozone crises. – However, centrist parties still dominate in Europe and support for the Euro …
Download PDF version What’s capital gains tax and when do you pay it? Here’s a guide to how CGT works and some ways to minimise your tax burden Capital gains tax is charged on the profit you make from the sale of assets. CGT can apply to assets you’ve purchased or inherited – shares, investments, land, property (special rules apply to your primary residence), and even collectibles and personal items, depending on what you paid …
Download PDF version Super and tax – what’s changing on 1 July 2024 Here’s a quick rundown of the latest law changes They say nothing is certain in life except two things – death and taxes. Australians can probably add a third – the knowledge that come the end of financial year, the rules around superannuation and taxation will inevitably change. It can be hard keeping up with all the latest super and tax rule …
April 2024 Market update Summary Global share markets continued to rise strongly in March, fuelled by improving growth numbers from the US and a dovish central bank. European share markets were notably strong as economic data in services industries bounced back toward expansionary levels. Australia share markets were very strong, rising for 5 months in a row and returned 3.3% over the month. Regardless, our domestic market …
Seven lasting impacts from the COVID pandemic Key points – Seven key lasting impacts from the Coronavirus pandemic are: “bigger” government; tighter labour markets; reduced globalisation and increased geopolitical tensions; higher inflation; worse housing affordability; working from home; and a faster embrace of technology. – On balance these make for a more fragmented and volatile world for investment returns. But it’s not all negative. Full Details here:- Download PDF version
March 2024 Market update Summary Global share markets rose over February and were notably strong in Asia as Chinese markets bounced sharply from very oversold conditions, and the US technology sector led by Nvidia and the AI boom. Most bond, credit and real asset markets were flat to down, consistent with rate movements. Bond yields rose as sticky inflation concerns mounted – the market priced out over half of the seven US rate cuts previously …
November 2023 Market update Download PDF version Market update The table below provides details of the movement in average investment returns from various asset classes for the period up to 30 October 2023. Asset class (% change) 1 month 3 months 1 year 3 years (% pa) Australian shares -3.8 -7.2 3.0 8.9 Smaller companies -5.5 -10.5 -5.1 0.5 International shares (unhedged) -1.0 -3.4 11.7 12.0 International shares (hedged) -2.6 -7.9 9.6 9.6 Emerging markets …
Download PDF version Five constraints on medium term investment returns Key points – Five megatrends suggest higher medium term inflation pressures & lower economic growth than pre-pandemic. – These are: a move away from economic rationalist policies; the reversal of globalisation; rising geopolitical tensions; climate change and decarbonisation; as well as slowing and aging populations. A productivity boost from artificial intelligence should provide some partial offset though. – But taken together this will likely …
Download PDF version The threat of higher oil and petrol prices flowing from the war in Israel Key points – The war in Israel has added to the upside risks to oil prices and downside risks to shares in the near term. – If Iran stays out of the conflict & a major supply disruption is avoided the impact on shares should ultimately be minimal. – If alternatively, oil prices do have a renewed surge …
