What’s happening in the Chinese economy at the moment?

What’s happening in the Chinese economy at the moment?   Investors should keep a watching brief on the Chinese economy, AMP Capital Investment Strategist, Angus Nicholson says. He warns that key risks include weak credit growth, the US trade war and signs of slowing global growth. “Investors should keep a bit of an eye on China this year. China has been a growing risk factor in many investors’ perceptions at the moment.” But Nicholson says …

Fixed Income view: It’s the End of the World as we know it, and I feel fine

Fixed Income view: It’s the End of the World as we know it, and I feel fine Economic momentum has gathered pace over the past 12 months, whilst the compensation for risk, known as risk premium, has deteriorated across asset markets. Valuations are expensive leaving investors highly susceptible to any macro-economic shifts, a tightening of financial conditions, and geopolitical shocks, according to AMP Capital’s Global Fixed Income Head of Macro, Ilan Dekell. “It’s critical to …

Telcos no place to find sustainable dividends in future

Telcos no place to find sustainable dividends in future Australia’s telecoms stocks have recently suffered a stretch that I could only describe as horrible, amid a very challenging industry pricing backdrop. The S&P/ASX200 Telecommunications Services Index has tumbled 33 per cent in the past 12 months alone. Many concerns have driven telecoms stocks lower, but the hazy outlook for dividend payments is what is making me steer clear of this sector for retirees seeking a …

Pre-federal Budget 2018 commentary

Pre-federal Budget 2018 commentary Winners and losers from the pre-election budget AMP Capital’s Senior Economist Diana Mousina gives a rundown of what you can expect from this year’s budget. View the video below. Diana Mousina, Senior Economist, Multi Asset Group, AMP Capital Our overall expectation for this year’s budget is that it will look and feel like a pre-election year budget. What that means is it will have plenty of good news for the household hip …

There’s been a ‘changing of the guard’ among sustainable dividend earners

There’s been a ‘changing of the guard’ among sustainable dividend earners Dividend lovers: we’re witnessing a bit of a changing of the guard when it comes to the performance of ASX listed companies. Financials and in particular banks – where investors have traditionally looked for their sustainable dividend growth – are beginning to be threatened for the mantle of sustainable dividend earners by so-called cyclical stocks, according to Dermot Ryan, AMP Capital’s Australian Equities Income …

Environmental, Social and Governance (ESG) Wrap 15 March 2018

Environmental, Social and Governance (ESG) Wrap 15 March 2018 Welcome again to the Environmental, Social and Governance (ESG) Wrap, where our team share the latest ESG issues in the media and their implications on investment. This month the key ESG issues making headlines are: ‘Silent boycott’: Gen Ys dump scandal-hit brands but stay quiet about it How blockchain is strengthening tuna traceability to combat illegal fishing Plastic and Waste in the Spotlight The Pimlico Plumbers case …

A slip in house prices is no reason to panic

A slip in house prices is no reason to panic The current slide in Sydney and Melbourne residential property prices will fall far short of a housing bust, according to AMP Capital Head of Investment Strategy and Chief Economist, Shane Oliver. House prices in Sydney have fallen about 5 per cent this year from last year’s peak, and eased slightly in Melbourne according to Oliver, who adds that both markets may have further softness ahead. “I …

Where’s all the share market volatility coming from?

Where’s all the share market volatility coming from? There is quite a lot of talk about volatility coming back to share markets all of a sudden, and with the talk there’s also bit of conjecture about where the volatility originates from. Some say it’s because interest rates and bond yields are beginning to rise; others will point to the end of quantitative easing in the United States and elsewhere for the bumpier ride. The return …