Key points: Share markets have fallen sharply in recent weeks as uncertainty around US President Trump’s policies have led to renewed concerns about the risk of recession at a time when share market valuations were stretched. It’s still too early to say markets have bottomed...
Global The introduction of DeepSeek’s open-source R1 model shocked global markets in January, challenging our understanding of capex requirements and competition in artificial intelligence. Despite the DeepSeek rout, the MSCI World Equity Index ended January +3.5% higher, led by strength in European equities as investors rotated out...
Megatrends are long-term structural changes that affect the world we live in. Importantly, they shape communities but they also create investment opportunities and risks. Learnings from historical megatrends include: 1) they often solve a problem through innovation; 2) the scope of the megatrend can initially...
The average Australian property investor could lose money in their first year, with those in the nation’s two largest capitals likely to be more than $23,000 out of pocket in just 12 months. With a mix of stamp duty and land tax outstripping rental returns and...
There are many benefits to receiving an Age Pension or even a part pension, but there are limits to what level of income or assets you can have, to be eligible. Regarding assets, the key limits as at 20 September 2024 are as follows: To receive a...
For many investors, the promise of ESG (Environmental, Social and Governance) investing has been evasive. Confusion around what “ESG Investing” actually is has led to many investors becoming disillusioned with their portfolios. So, what is “ESG investing”? Is this the same as ethical, responsible or green...
Geared share funds are high risk and high reward. When share markets are doing well, the returns can be very high, but the opposite is also true. We look at the pros and cons, and the role of geared share funds in a diversified investment...
How do you find the sweet spot between using your retirement savings to enjoy a comfortable standard of living, and investing so you won’t run out of money in the future? It’s a big question for many retirees. Two in three retirees (69%) are concerned about...
There are no prescribed steps for winding up an SMSF, however there are a number of specific requirements that must be satisfied. Overview There are a number of reasons why a fund may need to be wound up including: The members have insufficient assets to justify having...
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 see positive...
