The worry list for shares – how worrying are they? Key Points It’s still too early to say that the pull back in share markets is over. Some of the worries around US fiscal policy and politics, China, global supply constraints and central banks likely have further to run and could see the correction go further. Historically the main driver of whether we see a correction or a mild bear market, as opposed to a …
Market Update 8 October Investment markets & key developments Global shares mostly rose over the last week as the US debt ceiling was pushed out to December and there was some easing in concerns regarding the European energy crunch. The positive global lead saw Australian shares rebound led by energy, utility, financial and material shares. Consistent with a bit of “risk on” along with still rising inflation concerns bond yields continued to rise as did oil, …
Market Update 1 October Investment markets Global shares fell over the past week amidst a long worry list including the US debt ceiling, the impact of power shortages on global inflation and growth and rising bond yields. This saw Australian shares fall too with health, IT and property stocks leading the decline. As a result September lived up to its name of being a bad month for shares with the month seeing US shares down -4.8%, …
Why is Australian housing so expensive and what can be done to improve housing affordability? Key Points The key drivers of poor housing affordability and high household debt levels in Australia have been low rates and poor housing supply. Macro prudential controls to slow home lending now look imminent. But this is just a cyclical measure. More fundamental measures to improve housing affordability need to focus on boosting housing supply and decentralising away from …
Market Update 24 September Investment markets Global shares fell sharply early in the week but then rebounded as fears around China Evergrande receded and the Fed meeting was out of the way. This saw US, European and Chinese shares rise for the week, but Japanese shares fell. Australian shares also fell despite a mid-week rally as the weak iron price weighed on miners which along with falls in financial and property shares more than offset big …
Correction time? Shares get the wobblies – seven things investors need to keep in mind Key Points Share markets have hit the wobbles lately on the back of a long worry list ranging from growth concerns, central bank tapering, the US debt ceiling and fears of about China Evergrande’s problems. Shares may still have more downside as it will take a while to resolve some of these issues. Key things for investors to bear in …
Market Update 17 September Investment markets Global shares were mixed over the last week with US and Japanese shares up, European shares flat and Chinese shares down. US shares were helped by stronger than expected activity data and softer inflation, but Chinese shares were hit by a further slowing in Chinese data and concerns about Evergrande Group. Australian shares fell with solid gains in energy and property shares offset by sharp falls in mining stocks on …
Can you use your pension to retire debt free? Perhaps you’re considering options for how to reduce your debt before retiring. Well, one option may be to use your pension account, but there are some important things you should consider first. It’s no secret that Australia, like many countries, has an ageing population. According to the Australian Bureau of Statistics, 16.3% of us are over the age of 651, but that number is expected to grow …
Five reasons why the Australian dollar is likely to resume its upswing over the next 12 months Key Points Since its February high of around $US0.80 the $A the $A has fallen on the back of global growth concerns, a slowdown in China and the Delta outbreak in Australia. However, there is good reason to expect the $A to resume its rising trend: sentiment towards the $A is negative; global growth is likely to …
Market Update 10 September Investment markets and key developments over the past week Global shares were mixed over the last week. US and European shares fell on concerns about the growth outlook and central banks reducing stimulus, but Japanese shares continued to rise on hopes for more fiscal stimulus after PM Suga announced he would step down and Chinese shares rose. Australian shares fell on the back of the weak global lead, lower iron ore prices …
