Highlights: Global growth has improved following Central Bank monetary stimulus Oil prices remain volatile, the price range has stabilised, and will provide stimulus to global growth US economic data remains in recovery mode with improving consumer sentiment US bond yields rally following continued improvement in the labour market China continues monetary easing RBA keeps rates…
Brian Parker, Head of the Portfolio Specialists Group, gives an update on markets during January. He discusses: how most world share markets rose over the month, other than the US why renewed concerns about the health of the world economy have caused some central banks to ease monetary policy why Australia’s investment environment remains uncertain,…
Key points are as follows… Falling inflation on the back of falling commodity prices and global spare capacity indicates deflation is more of a threat globally than a surge in inflation. Further monetary easing in Europe, Japan and elsewhere should help head the threat off but it’s worth keeping an eye on. Low interest rates…
You want to make the most from the sale of your business — but navigating the tax system can be tough on your own. When it comes to turning your business assets into retirement savings, there are a number of Capital Gains Tax (CGT) concessions to help you along the way. Here’s what you need…
Brian Parker, Head of the Portfolio Specialists Group at MLC, gives an update on markets during September. He discusses: why it was generally a disappointing month for share market investors how a range of geopolitical concerns continued to unsettle markets why the European Central Bank took further steps to boost eurozone growth why Australia’s economic…
The Australian housing sector is doing its part in helping the economy rebalance as mining investment slows. · Thanks largely to a persistent undersupply of new homes, Australian housing remains overvalued. Negative gearing, foreign and SMSF buying are just a sideshow to the supply shortage. · The home buyer market is still not seeing the…
Who are empty nesters? Empty nesters are a varied group. Many are living with partners, but quite a few live alone. Some own their homes outright, while others are still paying off their mortgage, or renting their home. And while a few are only years away from retirement, many still have a decade or two…
In the last decade, household debt has decelerated quite significantly — down from an average rate of 10% each year in the early 2000s to just 2% at the end of 2013.[1] As a nation, it seems we’ve become far more conscious about our spending and borrowing habits since the Global Financial Crisis. Cutting back…
Highlights Heightened geopolitical tensions in Ukraine and the Middle East continue to dominate global equit markets. Economic growth in the US remains string, with Q2 GDP revised upwards from 4.0% to 4.2%. European data remains weak, particularly impacted by the Ukraine crisis. A slowdown in Chinese economic growth in Q2 as a result of a…
With quantitative easing set to end next month, the Fed is on track to start raising interest rates next year, most likely in the June quarter. The anticipation and then reality of this could cause some volatility in shares. · However, once it gets underway Fed tightening is likely to be gradual and history tells…