News & Articles
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January 2025 Newsletter
2025 January As we step into 2025, we wish you a joyful, healthy, and prosperous new year. This new beginning brings fresh opportunities and renewed hope as we look forward to the year ahead. As 2024 drew to a close, the year finished much as it had begun, with a...
2025 January “Steady as she goes”
In the journey of achieving your financial and lifestyle goals, think of your personal financial strategy as the flight plan guiding us to your desired destination. Over the past year, we’ve navigated through varying market conditions, achieving solid results for...
Say yes – what’s the best that could happen?
As we step into a new year, it’s a good opportunity to think about what we want to embrace and experience in the year to come. Amidst all the resolutions that might be broken before we know it, one powerful and positive way to approach the new year, is to make this...
More volatile and constrained – the macro investment outlook for 2025
Key points - 2024 was another strong year for investors with shares up strongly on the back of better than feared growth & profits and global central banks cutting rates. Volatility was low and balanced growth super funds returned around 11%. - 2025 is likely...
Market Overview 2025
Bond yields rose materially after the “hawkish” US Federal Reserve meeting on 18 December. The accompanying Summary of Economic Projections revised up both GDP growth and inflation expectations over the forward horizon while simultaneously lowering the expected...
Surviving the silly season
Ah, Christmas! - the time of year when your bank account shrinks, your social calendar explodes, and your family dynamics resemble a poorly scripted soap opera. As we navigate this festive minefield of shopping, social gatherings, and feasting, it’s common to feel...
Gifting for future generations
At this time of year, when giving is particularly on our minds, some might turn their attention to how best share their wealth or an unexpected windfall with their loved ones. You might be thinking about handing over a lump sum to help them with a major purchase...
Goldilocks stayed for 2024, but what’s in store for investors in 2025?
Key points The key themes for 2024 were: better than feared growth; global divergence; more disinflation; falling interest rates but with Australia lagging; and more geopolitical threats but not as bad as feared. As in 2023, returns were strong. 2025 is likely to...
Market overview: Extraordinary 12 months to 30/11/2024
In November, Donald Trump was returned to the White House with an across-the-board sweep for the Republicans, retaking office and securing a majority across Congress. A platform of tax cuts, tariffs, and government efficiency (the newly created DOGE, headed by Elon...
Market movements and review video – December 2024
Stay up to date with what's happened in markets and the Australian economy over the past month. While headline inflation eased to 2.8% in the September quarter, the RBA appears cautious on interest rates. The RBA Governor stated that Australia’s core inflation...
Donald Trump elected President of the US (again). Implications for investors and Australia
Key points The return of Donald Trump to the US presidency brings the prospect of more US tax cuts and deregulation, but also more tariff hikes and trade wars and policy uncertainty. His win was not the surprise it was in 2016, and markets have moved to adjust –...
Market movements and review video – November 2024
Stay up to date with what's happened in markets and the Australian economy over the past month. Welcome news on the inflation front in October pointed to the Reserve Bank of Australia (RBA) holding steady on rates this month. The latest quarterly inflation figures...
October 2024 Newsletter
It’s October and, as Spring delivers a bracing mix of weather events from rain and wind to snow and hail in some parts, we’re looking forward to the longer, warmer days ahead. Life Goes on Markets delivered with most asset classes performing well in the September...
Flight to Success
In the journey of achieving your financial and lifestyle goals, think of your personal financial strategy as the flight plan guiding us to your desired destination. Over the past year, we’ve navigated through varying market conditions, achieving solid results for...
September 2024 RBA Announcement
At its latest meeting, the Reserve Bank Board announced it was leaving the cash rate at 4.35 per cent. Please click here to view the Statement by Michele Bullock, Governor: Monetary Policy Decision. With the official rate on hold, we're watching closely what the...
Market Report: Sept. Qtr. 2024 & the Outlook ahead
Market Overview Two major events happened in September: the US central bank cut its interest rate by 0.50% (to a range of 4.75% - 5%), and China introduced new stimulus measures (the most significant since 2015 to support their very weak economy). Given these...
Sowing the seeds for a happy retirement
The thought of retirement is an enticing one for many of us. Imagine throwing off the shackles of the workforce and being able to do whatever you want, whenever you want. But why wait until you are retired to do the things you love? Retirement is a time where we...
Estate planning gives you a final say
Planning for what happens when you pass away or become incapacitated is an important way of protecting those you care about, saving them from dealing with a financial and administrative mess when they’re grieving. Your Will gives you a say in how you want your...
Harris versus Trump – implications for investors and Australia
Dr Shane Oliver - Head of Investment Strategy and Chief Economist, AMP CapitalKey points The US election has significant potential to impact markets. A Harris victory would mean more of the same, but a Trump victory could lead to uncertainty particularly around...
Making conscious the unconscious for better decisions
When you’re faced with a decision, do you trust your feelings or do you look at the situation objectively, making a careful list of pros and cons? Emotions exert a strong influence on our decisions, so it’s important to have a bit of balance between reason and...
The automotive industry sparking up with electric vehicles
With electric vehicles fast overtaking petrol driven cars in sales in Australia, what are the considerations for the industry, the environment, and consumers? The popularity of electric vehicles has been a long time coming. While electric vehicles may just be...
