Surge in spending ahead of election battle
May 9, 2018
The Federal Government has turned the spending tap back on, signalling the end of the revenue drought since the GFC and the end of the mining investment boom. As widely anticipated, Treasurer Scott Morrison’s third Budget has cut income taxes, boosted support for senior Australians, delivered $24.5 billion of new infrastructure spending and promised a…
2017 Year in review
January 10, 2018
Investors had plenty to smile about in 2017, despite a world of worries on the geopolitical stage from the Middle East to North Korea and the South China Sea. The global economy continued its steady improvement and financial markets produced some excellent returns.
Lessons from the GFC – 10 years on
November 1, 2017
It’s been a decade since the market crash known as the Global Financial Crisis rocked the investment world. At the time investors could only watch in disbelief as 50 per cent was wiped off the value of their shares. Arguably, the actions those investors took are still reverberating today. Which begs the question: what are…
Global markets navigate a sea of uncertainty
July 4, 2017
It’s almost a decade since the global financial crisis created havoc in financial markets. While the global economy continues to show signs of recovery, political uncertainty in Europe and the United States is creating fresh confusion on global markets as investors wait to see how current events play out.
Federal budget analysis 2017-2018
May 10, 2017
Getting the right balance Treasurer Scott Morrison’s first budget of the Coalition’s second term in office marked a significant shift in tone from the tough stance of its three previous budgets. Gone is the mantra of debt and deficit. Instead the Treasurer has balanced the government’s resolve to live within its means with promises to…
Australia still punching above its weight
May 3, 2017
Australia, take a bow. We are on the brink of overtaking the Netherlands’ record for the longest period without a recession and very close to pulling off an even greater feat. Not only have we survived the end of an extraordinary mining boom without going bust, but the economy is showing signs of renewed growth.
2016 Year in Review – A global seachange
January 12, 2017
If 2016 taught us anything, it was to expect the unexpected. Britain’s vote to exit the European Union and Donald Trump’s election as the next US President surprised the pundits and markets alike. Markets generally hate surprises, yet in the closing weeks of the year so-called ‘Trump trades’ pushed shares, bond yields and the US…
How to play the Trump card
November 28, 2016
To say that Donald Trump’s election as President of the United States took the world by surprise is an understatement. Markets hate surprises and uncertainty, so a short-term period of volatility is to be expected. But as investors begin to digest the new policy direction, buying opportunities could arise.
Focus on Australia’s credit rating
August 23, 2016
Global ratings agencies Standard & Poor’s and Moody’s have effectively put the new Turnbull government on notice to reduce the nation’s budget deficit or risk a downgrade in Australia’s credit rating. Sounds serious, but what does it actually mean and is it necessarily a bad thing?
Australian growth – Resilient in tough times
July 5, 2016
‘Resilient’ is perhaps the best way to sum up Australia’s economic performance over the past 12 months. That was the word used by Standard and Poor’s director of sovereign ratings, Craig Michaels, when confirming Australia’s AAA credit rating in mid-June.
End of content
End of content