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, …
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 …
13 December 2017 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 …
Digital payment options could see you spend more this Christmas With the festive season just weeks away, Australians are gearing up for the annual peak spending period, and the growth of digital payment options could be widening the gap between what we regard as our spending limit and the balance of our bank account. The disconnect between cards and cash Credit cards make spending (and overspending) very easy, and a new breed of “digital wallets” …
How to pick the top of the real estate market Strong demand for the broader real estate segment is likely to help prices remain strong for at least another year as the aging population seeks regular annuity in a low interest rate environment, says Luke Dixon, AMP Capital Head of Head of Real Estate Research. “Real estate is still fairly priced,” Dixon says, a view informed by a detailed analysis published in the latest AMP …
10 November 2017 What could trigger a property price correction? The shift of mortgagees to “principle and interest” from interest only loans is one of the things to watch when considering the potential for a price correction in some of the more highly-valued residential property markets, Dr Shane Oliver, AMP Capital’s Head of Investment Strategy and Chief Economist, says. “When they [mortgagees] do that, they face a big increase in their debt servicing costs,” Oliver …
Money mistakes people make in their 50s and 60s Avoid these common money traps to make sure you have enough put aside for a comfortable retirement. When you’re in your 50s and 60s, you know you’ve worked long and hard for what you’ve achieved in life and probably have a fair idea of how you want to live in your future retirement. But it’s important not to become complacent and ignore the warning signs of …
5 ways Australians will use their tax return this year With nearly one in three people planning to save their tax return, have you considered what you might do with yours? This year more than 75% of Australians expect to receive a tax return, with a large portion of the population planning to use the money they receive to take the edge off their financial commitments.i We look at the most common ways people intend …
Helping your kids buy a home Increasing house prices are good news for property owners but can be a bit of a hurdle for people trying to get into the market. If, like many of our clients, your goal is to help your children buy a home, there are a few ways you can help. Perhaps some of the tips below might give you an idea or two to discuss with your adviser. 1. Start …
11 August 2017 Interest rates likely to remain on hold until economic growth improves There is little chance the Reserve Bank of Australia will hike interest rates in the next six months, even though property prices are at record highs in some markets, according to AMP Capital Head of Investment Strategy and Chief Economist Shane Oliver. “I can understand why people think maybe they should,” says Oliver. “But I think it’s a 2018 story, not …
