Market Update 19 March 2021 | AMP Capital

Market Update 19 March 2021   Investment markets and key developments over the past week Global sharemarket performance continues to diverge. US shares started the week strongly but higher bond yields following the US Federal Reserve’s meeting led US shares down 0.7% over the week for the S&P500 with the heavier tech weighted NASDAQ even weaker (-1.5%). The theme of a rotation out of US to global shares continues to play out with European shares up …

How to reassess your spending and budgeting habits

  How to reassess your spending and budgeting habits From our spending habits to our saving trends, the pandemic has changed the way many Australians think about money. Learn how to reassess your financial situation and create a fresh budget for 2021. There’s no denying the pandemic has significantly affected the finances of many Australians. Some of us are spending more, some are cutting back on non-essential spending and for others, the uncertainty has challenged …

Indexation allows for higher super contributions from 1 July, 2021 | AMP Capital

  Indexation allows for higher super contributions from 1 July, 2021 Making super contributions after 1 July this year comes with a nice surprise as the concessional and non-concessional caps have been indexed along with the increases to the Transfer Balance Cap and Total Super Balance Cap. So how do the contribution changes work? Increase in concessional contributions cap Indexation of the standard concessional contributions cap takes place in increments of $2,500, calculated on increases …

Market Update 12 March 2021 | AMP Capital

Market Update 12 March 2021 Investment markets and key developments over the past week Share markets rebounded over the last week as bond markets settled down a bit helped by central bank action and as $1.9 trillion in additional US stimulus was signed into law by President Biden. This saw the US share market rise to a record high (albeit the bond sensitive Nasdaq remains 5% down from its high), Eurozone shares rise to their highest …

What you can claim when working from home | Money & Life

What you can claim when working from home Setting up a home office? Here’s how to create a comfortable workspace, while offsetting the extra costs of working remotely. If you’re among those who’s decided to say ‘so-long’ to the office, you’ve probably also realised that having the right home-office set up is essential for your productivity – and sanity. As many of us learnt during lockdown, trying to fit in a full day’s work at …

Relationship break-up entitlements when you’re in a de facto

Relationship break-up entitlements when you’re in a de facto If you’re wondering who’ll get the home you’re currently living in, the car, or boat if you have one, we answer some of the commonly asked questions, so you’re across your rights and responsibilities. If you’ve recently split from your partner or are simply wondering what might happen if you do, you’ll need to keep your financial wits about you. A division of assets and debts, …

Shares have had a very strong rebound since March last year so where are we in the investment cycle? | AMP Capital

Shares have had a very strong rebound since March last year so where are we in the investment cycle?   Key points The history of cyclical bull markets in shares suggests that the rebound since last March still has a way to go. But it’s normal for the second 12 months of a cyclical bull market to see slower returns from shares. While shares are vulnerable to a further correction triggered by the spike in …

What does it really cost to raise kids? | Money & Life

What does it really cost to raise kids? We often hear that raising kids is expensive, but just how much will it cost you over the first five, 10 or 20 years? Here’s a closer look at the costs of each stage of life. If you’re thinking about having kids, or have already taken the plunge, you might be wondering how much you’ll need to budget for their welfare. There are a few different answers …

Buying a home in 2021? Read this first | Money & Life

Buying a home in 2021? Read this first Thinking about making a sea-change or tree-change? Wondering if it’s a good time to buy in the city? With house prices rising fast across most of the country, here’s what you need to know to get onto the property ladder. It’s official, Australia is experiencing a widespread property boom not seen for more than a decade. After COVID-19 put the brakes on the housing market early last …

Market Update 5 March 2021

Market Update 5 March 2021 Investment markets and key developments over the past week While share markets had a strong bounce early in the past week as fears around rising bond yields briefly eased they returned later in the week particularly after Fed Chair Powell reiterated the Fed’s dovishness but failed to signal significant concern or action to deal with rising bond yields. As a result, US, Japanese and Chinese shares fell for the week, …