Oliver’s insights – home ownership

This note looks at the decline in Australia’s home ownership rate since the mid-1960s and what has driven it.

Long-term global trends and implications for markets

Trends that influencing economic growth and investment markets

Market Update 1 October | AMP Capital

Market Update 1 October Investment markets Global shares fell over the past week amidst a long worry list including the US debt ceiling, the impact of power shortages on global inflation and growth and rising bond yields. This saw Australian shares fall too with health, IT and property stocks leading the decline. As a result September lived up to its name of being a bad month for shares with the month seeing US shares down -4.8%, …

Why is Australian housing so expensive and what can be done to improve housing affordability? | AMP Capital

Why is Australian housing so expensive and what can be done to improve housing affordability?   Key Points The key drivers of poor housing affordability and high household debt levels in Australia have been low rates and poor housing supply. Macro prudential controls to slow home lending now look imminent. But this is just a cyclical measure. More fundamental measures to improve housing affordability need to focus on boosting housing supply and decentralising away from …

Correction time? Shares get the wobblies – seven things investors need to keep in mind | AMP Capital

Correction time? Shares get the wobblies – seven things investors need to keep in mind Key Points Share markets have hit the wobbles lately on the back of a long worry list ranging from growth concerns, central bank tapering, the US debt ceiling and fears of about China Evergrande’s problems. Shares may still have more downside as it will take a while to resolve some of these issues. Key things for investors to bear in …

The 2020-21 Australian Budget – spend, spend, spend as the focus remains on recovery and jobs, jobs, jobs

The 2020-21 Australian Budget – spend, spend, spend as the focus remains on recovery and jobs, jobs, jobs   Key points The Government now expects the Federal budget deficit to peak at a record $213.7bn this financial year. That’s around 11% of GDP, its highest since the end of WW2. The risk is the deficit will be worse at around $230bn. Key measures include earlier tax cuts, massive tax breaks for investment & a new …

Why super and growth assets like shares have to be seen as long-term investments | AMP Capital

Why super and growth assets like shares have to be seen as long-term investments Key points As we’ve seen recently growth assets like shares have periods of bad short-term performance versus bonds & cash. But they provide superior long-term returns which is essential to grow retirement savings. It makes sense for superannuation to have a high exposure to them. The best approach is to simply recognise that super and investing in shares is a long-term …

Lessons from the Blue Zones: how to live longer – secrets of a long life

  Lessons from the Blue Zones: how to live longer – secrets of a long life The parts of the world where people live longest may hold the key to the fountain of youth. We explore how to live longer and uncover the Blue Zones’ secrets of a long life. There are five global hotspots where researchers have identified that people live longer, healthier lives than the rest of us. Known as the Blue Zones they are: …

4 steps to help protect portfolios against political risk

08 November 2017 4 steps to help protect portfolios against political risk When Australia’s High Court ruled deputy prime minister Barnaby Joyce ineligible to sit in Parliament because of his dual New Zealand citizenship, the decision briefly sent tremors through equity and currency markets. It was a clear reminder that political risk matters to markets. We face troubling political and geopolitical risk across the world: Trump, Brexit and, above all, the risk of nuclear confrontation …

Looking after your family

Online learning Inform your financial decisions   Looking after your family Online learning: Family finances When your family finances are under control, everyday life can be a lot more enjoyable. It may be easier than you think to manage your money and work towards saving. Start now Online learning: Making a will With a valid will in place, your money and assets can go to the people you choose, and you’ll make things a lot …