The year that was and the year ahead – five questions to ask yourself

The year that was and the year ahead – five questions to ask yourself Reflecting on the year that was …   1. What did you spend your time on in 2017? We all have 24 hours in a day so how you spend those hours will show up in what you achieve. Reflecting on the activities you spend your time on can also be a good indication of where your passion and values lie. If …

Add some extra cash to your New Year

Add some extra cash to your New Year We all dream of an unexpected windfall, and there may be no better way to kick start 2018 than with some extra cash to your name.  With a bit of digging around, it can be possible to find some forgotten funds you’re entitled to. A treasure trove of forgotten cash To begin with, many state government treasuries are filled with a trove of refunds and overpayments, unpresented …

Volatility could present buying opportunities in 2018

Volatility could present buying opportunities in 2018 Volatility and the first meaningful lift in inflation coming from the United States will likely be the main differentiating features in global financial markets in 2018 compared to this year, according to Dr Shane Oliver, AMP Capital’s Head of Investment Strategy and Chief Economist. The dips in share markets experts anticipated in 2017 are more likely to materialise in the new year, Oliver notes. But with global growth …

New year, new financial resolutions

New year, new financial resolutions The dawn of a new year is the perfect time to hit reset and correct course when it comes to your money. You may have already given thought to some health-related wellness goals for 2018, but what about your financial wellness? AMP research has revealed that a quarter of Australian workers have difficulty in making ends meet, with the most common triggers for financial stress found to be bad debt, …

How to make 2018 money friendly

  How to make 2018 money friendly As the Christmas decorations get packed away and life for many returns to normal, AMP Capital is encouraging customers to consider their finances when setting their resolutions for 2018. Instead of making vague promises like “get fit” or “pay down debt” AMP Capital Head of Retail of Retail Business Manuel Damianakis recommends people set more specific resolutions to grow their wealth during the year. “Consider a resolution to …

Where to find value in the real estate market

13 December 2017 Where to find value in the real estate market The so called ‘yield trade’, which has pushed valuations in the Australian real estate market across the various segments right up to their long term averages, will continue in 2018. Even though this ‘search for yield’ phenomenon has been playing out for some years – while interest rates remain low and investors to be pushed into riskier assets in search of income – …

Investors found the “sweet spot” in 2017

13 December 2017 Investors found the “sweet spot” in 2017 It was a good year for share market investors in 2017, particularly for those who overcame the fear of a potential market correction and maintained exposure to global listed markets. Looking back on share market and asset price performance generally, the combination of solid global growth and profits and yet low inflation and benign central banks created a “sweet spot” for investors in 2017. Investment …

Debunking 3 myths around global listed infrastructure

13 December 2017 Debunking 3 myths around global listed infrastructure Did you know it takes 957 gallons of water to create a single Big Mac? Some 550 million Big Macs are consumed each year in the US alone. That’s a lot of water. But we simply wouldn’t have Big Macs without the infrastructure to filter and transport water to each part of the Big Mac production process. It’s easy to forget that infrastructure is a …

How the yield trade is shaping our view of the world

13 December 2017 How the yield trade is shaping our view of the world The so called yield trade – which has pushed investors out along the risk curve into more risky assets seeking income – has trained individuals to think more critically about their assets they include in their investment portfolios, reckons Dr Shane Oliver, AMP Capital’s Head of Investment Strategy and Chief Economist. Since central banks have dropped interest rates to record low …

One in three Aussies travel without protection

One in three Aussies travel without protection It’s that time of the year when our thoughts turn to summer holidays, but amid the excitement of choosing a destination, don’t forget to arrange travel cover. In the last three years, one in three Australians have headed off internationally without the protection of travel insurance. If you run into trouble overseas it can be far more than just inconvenient. Lost baggage, stolen smartphones and delayed flights can …