More action out of the RBA this month to support the economy | AMP Capital

More action out of the RBA this month to support the economy   At its September board meeting, the RBA left interest rates on hold, which was no big surprise. The surprise was in the RBA’s announcement of an extension and increase of the cheap funding it provides to the banks. You might recall back in March, the RBA announced a term funding facility, under which it would provide cheap loans to the banks, locked …

My take on life in Australia during a recession | AMP Capital

My take on life in Australia during a recession Going into a recession is bad news. When the economy goes backwards, spending contracts, the jobs market gets tougher, wages go down – the list goes on. This period ahead has come as a shock to many Australians, but there are some things worth noting that might make it easier to bear. Australia has been battling through a calamitous start to 2020 so far. We kicked …

Dividend and buyback lockdown could be close for Aussie shares | AMP Capital

Dividend and buyback lockdown could be close for Aussie shares With the Australia economy partially ramping down to reduce the spread of the virus, the working capital squeeze begins for companies and households. Here, we explore what that could mean for dividends. Early signs It’s too early to say with precision, but dividends could be cut by at least a third in the next 12 months, which would lead to a larger cut to aggregate …

What we’re watching in our holdings as lockdowns are rolled out | AMP Capital

What we’re watching in our holdings as lockdowns are rolled out Large parts of the Australian economy are shutting down, and we anticipate further draconian measures are on their way. This creates a substantial knock-on effect in consumer behaviour. How companies manage through the weeks and months ahead is imperative for investors to understand. It’s our view that investors with current holdings in Australian shares, or indeed people looking to start or increase their investing …

What the RBA’s response to COVID-19 means for the Australian economy | AMP Capital

What the RBA’s response to COVID-19 means for the Australian economy   The Reserve Bank of Australia (RBA) met today and agreed to a support package for the Australian economy, through the challenging period that is the COVID-19 outbreak. The central bank acknowledged this is, first and foremost, a health issue, and that the primary response is to manage the health of the population. As the RBA said, other arms of policy play an important …

What the Coalition’s election victory means for Australia’s economy

What the Coalition’s election victory means for Australia’s economy With the Coalition returning to government following Saturday’s Federal election, it’s likely to be business as usual for the Australian economy. AMP Capital Senior Economist Diana Mousina says the Coalition’s focus in the near term will remain on providing tax relief to low-and-middle-income households, which was the focus of this year’s Federal budget. This tax relief represents about 0.5 per cent of gross domestic product (GDP). …

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 …

Six forces driving Australian equity portfolio returns

Six forces driving Australian equity portfolio returns We are now in the late stage of the business cycle when a range of risks and opportunities are being thrown up at Australian equity investors. These reflect changes in fast-moving global markets, domestic policy choices and the evolving priorities of local businesses. These changes will create exciting opportunities for some Australian companies but throw up challenges for others. 1. The global economy is becoming more volatile The …

Five things you need to know about the Australian economy

Five things you need to know about the Australian economy Key points The Australian economy grew solidly over the last year.   While recession remains very unlikely, the combination of a slowing housing cycle, constraints on consumer spending and still subdued business investment will likely see growth slow going forward to around 2.5-3%.   As a result, spare capacity is likely to remain significant, keeping wages growth and inflation low.   We don’t expect the …

The US economy – does the flattening yield curve indicate recession is imminent?

The US economy – does the flattening yield curve indicate recession is imminent? Key points If you are worried about a major bear market, the US economy is the key to watch. While traditional measures of the US yield curve have flattened sending warning signs about future growth, it has given false signals in the past, is still positive and other versions of the yield curve point to rising growth. Moreover, apart from very low …