What’s next for the Australian and global economies? Quick take-outs 2022 is likely to be the year COVID-19 goes from being an epidemic to endemic Expect ongoing global economic recovery – albeit with bumps along the way The spike in inflation is partly due to pandemic driven distortions to demand and supply chains but inflation will be higher over the years ahead than it was pre-COVID Expect the first RBA rate hike in late …
Five reasons why the Australian dollar is likely to resume its upswing over the next 12 months Key Points Since its February high of around $US0.80 the $A the $A has fallen on the back of global growth concerns, a slowdown in China and the Delta outbreak in Australia. However, there is good reason to expect the $A to resume its rising trend: sentiment towards the $A is negative; global growth is likely to …
Australian house prices on the upswing again – seven things to bear in mind about the Australian property market Key points Expect average Australian home prices to rise 5-10% this year and next as ultra-low interest rates and economic recovery feed through. However, the outlook is divergent – with houses expected to outperform units and smaller cities and regional property expected to play catch up. The drivers of the long-term property bull market …
More Aussies look to buy property and refinance One in five Australians is hoping to purchase a property in the next 12 months, while one in three existing homeowners wants to refinance to get a better deal. Record-low interest rates and a shift in people’s mindsets, post the outbreak of the COVID-19 pandemic, are behind more Aussies looking to buy property, or refinance existing home loans, according to data from financial comparison group Finder. Population …
Investment markets and key developments over the past week US, European and Japanese share markets plunged around 10% over the last week on the back of a rapid escalation of new coronavirus (Covid-19) cases outside China – notably in Japan, Korea, Italy and Iran – and concern that (whether its labelled a pandemic or not) it will disrupt economic activity more deeply and for longer than had been expected a week or so ago. Chinese shares …
What’s next for house prices? The bottom line is we see more downside in Australian house prices. That is, of course, a broad generalisation and it depends on where you live. Australian house prices have fallen for ten consecutive months driven mainly by declines in Sydney and Melbourne, which are coming off the back of a huge boom. Nationwide, there is likely more downside to go with expectations of another 5% decline. We’ve seen a …
Time for your next pay rise? It’s important to get paid what you’re worth, for your self-esteem and your bank balance too. Find out what’s going on with wages and jobs in Australia and whether you should ask for a raise. Haven’t had a decent pay rise in a while? If you work in Australia, chances are you’ve seen very little change in your basic wage in the last few years, regardless of what industry …
Is that a driverless car in the next lane? As technology forges ahead, we’re all but chasing after it. Life as we knew it in the 80s and 90s is now ancient history. Today, digital devices in Australia have made the way we communicate, socialise, work and behave just about unrecognisable. The fact is Aussies are so screen-obsessed that we’re walking and texting, talking and browsing, eating and researching, reading and driving—all at the same …
The Road Next Travelled Episode 1: Ray Martin shares his own road next travelled, a passion far away from the TV cameras. Life coach Joanna Maxwell reveals the secret to a successful change of career later in life. We hear wise words around funding the next part of your life from Nicolette Rubinsztein General Manager for Retirement, Colonial First State. We also meet our three contestants for the first time and hear what they hope …
Retiring within the next 5 – 10 years The combined effect of earlier retirement and living longer means that many Australians will spend more than a quarter of their life in retirement. While this sounds like good news, it does emphasise the importance of planning carefully – and well in advance – for your retirement. Some questions you may wish to consider include:• How much do I need to retire on? When can I …
