Quick Investment Update
March 5, 2021
Thoughts from the Franklin Templeton Fixed Income Team. The Australian Bloomberg Ausbond Composite Bond Index just completed its worst monthly return IN HISTORY with February returning a whopping -3.59% as bonds crumbled. We like to think the dysfunctional market conditions of March 2020 won’t be repeated for a long time, if ever. Last week saw…
Algorithms driving our narrowing focus
February 4, 2021
There’s no doubt we live in a curated world. Online algorithms serve up content designed to meet our needs based on what we’ve liked and engaged with in the past. And while this can help us find what we’re looking for, the problem is that while these algorithms reflect our interests, they also reinforce them….
Lessons from 2020 to secure a bright future
January 11, 2021
It was a year most of us would like to forget. And yet, some of the toughest lessons of 2020 had a silver lining. We weathered bushfires, floods, a pandemic that’s not over yet and a recession that is. Through it all, we emerged a stronger community. Many of us also learned some useful financial…
2020 Year in Review
January 11, 2021
Just as we were recovering from the long drought and the worst bushfires on record, the global coronavirus pandemic took hold and changed everything. Suddenly, simple things we took for granted, like going to the office or celebrating special occasions, were put on hold. While life is still not back to normal, Australia is in…
Review of 2020, outlook for 2021 – from Pandemic to Recovery
December 10, 2020
Key points 2020 was dominated by the Coronavirus pandemic but shares saw okay returns on the back of policy stimulus and vaccine optimism, resulting in constrained but positive returns for balanced growth super funds. For 2021, the combination of massive policy stimulus and the prospect of vaccines allowing a return to something more normal by…
Five tips for a better retirement
November 10, 2020
Retirement is an exciting time. It’s the long-awaited reward for a lifetime of work and, if you’ve planned it correctly, it heralds a life stage synonymous with relaxation and enjoyment. However, to make sure your retirement is everything you’d hoped for, it’s crucial to make smart decisions to help you stick to your financial plan,…
Making your savings work harder
November 10, 2020
With tax cuts and stimulus payments on the way, Treasurer Josh Frydenberg is urging us to open our wallets and spend to kick start the national economy. But if your personal balance sheet could do with a kick along, then saving and investing what you can, also makes sense. One positive from this COVID-19 induced…
Granny flats: tax tips and traps
November 10, 2020
The idea of adding a granny flat to your property sounds like a great idea. A property to rent out to generate some welcome extra income, or a home for adult children or mum and dad in their later years. But there are important tax and personal considerations to consider before taking the plunge and…
Managing investment risk in uncertain times
October 13, 2020
This year has exposed investors to the end of a bull market and the start of a global recession, all caused by a totally unexpected global pandemic. The outlook for the global economy and investment markets remains uncertain until an effective vaccine is available. While there is cause for optimism that one of the many…
How to spend and invest at the same time
September 15, 2020
https://centaurfinancial.com.au/investing/how-to-spend-and-invest-at-the-same-time/
SMSFs on the defensive: Is it time to revisit your strategy?
September 15, 2020
Self-managed super funds (SMSFs) have had a challenging year, with COVID-19 linked market uncertainty affecting income and returns. But SMSF trustees haven’t been sitting on their hands. One of the main reasons people give for wanting to establish an SMSF is to have greater control of their investments and taking control of a difficult situation…
5 common financial mistakes to avoid during a crisis
August 11, 2020
The economic impact of the COVID-19 pandemic is playing havoc with finances for many households. In an ideal world, the financial boost should be enough and assumes that everyone was financially prepared for tough times. But in times of crisis, it can all be a little overwhelming. Here are 5 common financial mistakes to avoid…
Balancing wealth and happiness
August 11, 2020
It can at times seem like life is a seesaw of logic and emotion. If you believe by emotion, then no amount of reason can talk you out of how you feel. It’s how some fall prey to a life of worry, frustration and disappointment. But if you stay focused on what matters most right…
Year in Review – Investment Insights
July 27, 2020
Financial year 2020 has truly been a year of two halves. The first half was characterised by continued economic expansion, buoyant equity markets and historically low – even negative in some countries – interest rates. However, before midnight’s chimes heralded a new decade, raging bushfires made it clear that Australia was potentially set for a…
A baby boomer’s retirement path
July 15, 2020
Baby boomers are born consumers and love choice. For those unsure, a baby boomer is generally defined as those born just after World War II – 1946 to 1964. During these years, the number of babies born in most western nations, including Australia, was staggering. Today, around 20% of Australia’s population is made up of…
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