News & Articles
Stay up to date with our latest news and articles
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...
Shares around record highs as inflation slides, central banks cut rates and China stimulates
– but what about the Israel/Iran conflict & other risks?Key points Recession risks, the escalating Israel conflict, the US election along with still stretched valuations mean a high risk of another share market correction and continued volatility. The expansion...
Market movements and review video – October 2024
Stay up to date with what's happened in markets and the Australian economy over the past month. Interest rate speculation is rife after the Reserve Bank of Australia (RBA) kept rates on hold at 4.35% last month. RBA Governor Michelle Bullock believes it may be...
6 Tips To Make Your Detox Fun
Many people cringe when they hear the word detox. It sounds scary to them, they think they are going to be deprived, hungry and irritable, but it doesn’t have to be that way. Detoxing is about giving your body a break and allowing it to come into balance, and there...
7 ways to reduce your carbon footprint
As climate strikes continue to take place around the world, some small business owners are asking whether they can reduce their carbon footprint. Climate change is being heralded as perhaps the most serious issue our generation faces, with many initiatives taking...
Will house prices crash? And what’s needed to fix housing affordability
Key points Predictions of an Australian house price crash create lots of interest but have been a dime a dozen over the last 20 yrs. However, there is more to the surge in property prices than easy money with a supply shortfall being the main factor. Absent much...
