Financial News
September 2021 economic and market update
Economic update Central banks and governments globally, are supportive of economic growth over the next 18 months as we all work towards a “COVID normal”. Employment data has been resilient, …
Market Commentary. September 2020
Growth assets declined in September. Investors adopted a more cautious stance due to a number of factors such as: The acceleration of COVID-19 cases globally, particularly the rise in the …
Market Commentary August 2020
August was a strong month for growth assets with share market returns ranging from 2.5% to 8%. This is perplexing when we consider that COVID-19 cases globally are now over …
Market Commentary July 2020
July was a relatively flat month for growth assets. Standout returns were achieved on hedged international equities as the Australian dollar continued to strengthen, a thematic over the last 3 …
Market Commentary April 2020
After equities entered a bear market in the March quarter with many equity indices down over 20%, in April we saw markets rebound strongly as central bank support coupled with …
Market Update 24.3.2020
Over the last week, the rapid spread of Coronavirus has impacted our lives in ways that were unimagined not so long ago. We just have to look at supermarket shelves …
Reasons sharemarkets are charging higher
Contributor: Don Stammer Expectations of a slowdown — even a recession — in the global economy have been widespread in recent months. As a result, bond yields have fallen over …
Despite recent volatility, global sharemarkets generally remain attractive for long term investors
By Tim Farrelly – CEO of Farrelly’s, and asset allocation consultant to Australian Unity Personal Financial Services The past year has seen equities world-wide produce low or negative returns accompanied …
Update on recent sharemarket volatility
On Friday last week the Australian sharemarket (S&P/ASX 200) closed down by 2.8% in response to a falling US sharemarket. What factors have driven the sell-off? The fall in Australian …
A decade after the GFC, global recovery gathers pace
By Dr Don Stammer – adviser to Altius Asset Management and columnist at The Australian. The views expressed are his own. Next month marks the 10th anniversary of the worst …
Why Australian interest rates could stay low for decades… and what that means for your investments
By Tim Farrelly – CEO of Farrelly’s, and asset allocation consultant to Australian Unity Personal Financial Services Many investors fear the impact of a return to interest rates of 5%, …
Are we closing in on a sharemarket crash?
By Dr Don Stammer – adviser to Altius Asset Management and columnist at The Australian. The views expressed are his own. We’re being warned often that rising bond yields will …
2018 has seen sharemarket volatility return. Be alert – not alarmed – as the prospect for global sharemarkets remains positive.
By Tim Schroeders & Jeff Mitchell, Investment Research Department – Australian Unity Personal Financial Services Sharemarkets, so far in 2018, are providing a contrast to the robust returns enjoyed by …
What are the long term prospects for the Australian sharemarket?
Find out here – free webinar (6:35 mins): https://goo.gl/pF7KMt
How much can you contribute to superannuation this year?
Changes to the superannuation rules in effect for the 2017/18 financial year are designed to further limit the amount of money Australians can contribute to, and keep in, the tax …
What can you expect from investment markets in 2018?
By Jeff Mitchell, Head of Investment Research, Australian Unity Personal Financial Services 2017 was another solid year for investment returns with stock markets around the world generally moving higher. Synchronous …
Global sharemarkets have risen this year as major risks have eased
By Tim Farrelly – CEO of Farrelly’s, and asset allocation consultant to Australian Unity Personal Financial Services Compared with a year ago the world economy is in much better shape; …
A reminder to update beneficiary nominations for your super
When major life events occur in your life, such as divorce or starting/ending a de facto relationship, updating your nomination of beneficiary for your superannuation fund may not be high …
Australian banks still worthy of a place in most portfolios… despite what some commentators say
By Tim Farrelly – CEO of Farrelly’s, and asset allocation consultant to Australian Unity Personal Financial Services Barring disasters, the banks should produce returns of the order of 10% per …
The cost of a ‘modest’ retirement up 33% in past 10 years
The latest data from The Association of Superannuation Funds of Australia (ASFA) suggests retiring Australians will need 33 per cent more income per year for a “modest” retirement compared to …
Warning: New rules mean you now aren’t allowed to contribute as much to superannuation
Changes to the superannuation rules in effect for the 2017/18 financial year are designed to further limit the amount of money Australians can contribute to, and keep in, the tax …
Your business’ financial wellbeing checklist
Find out if you need help with business estate planning, insurance, or business loans in this quick questionnaire. Business Estate Planning Do you need business estate planning advice? You will if you …
Global economies continue to strengthen, in spite of geopolitical issues
By Jeff Mitchell, Head of Investment Research, Australian Unity Personal Financial Services The first six months of this year have seen further geopolitical events and apparent increases in terrorist attacks, …
Australians say advice critical to achieving retirement goals: Survey
New research shows a majority of Australians aged 40+ believe they need professional financial advice to reach their retirement goals*. Find out more: https://goo.gl/ZvRPxU
Investment Update Webinar March 2017
What is the long term outlook for Australian shares? Free webinar (4:12 mins) here: https://goo.gl/bq9XIz
What can you expect from investment markets in 2017?
By Jeff Mitchell, Head of Investment Research, Australian Unity Personal Financial Services This year has started well for many investment markets, and builds on the strong finish to 2016. Having …
How will the rise in geopolitical risk affect your investment portfolio?
Geopolitical risk has gone up a little this year, but not enough to change investment strategy or our long term forecasts. By Tim Farrelly – CEO of Farrelly’s, and asset …
Survey: Financial advice boosts confidence in retirement
77% Seventy-seven percent of Australian pre-retirees who haven’t enlisted the help of financial professionals don’t feel prepared for retirement, according to a recent survey by MLC*. 2x But Australians engaging …
What’s Driving Voter Resentment in the US and Europe?
By Cindy L. Sweeting, Director of Portfolio Management, Templeton Global Equity Group (Reproduced with permission) Across the world, there has been a surge in support for populist causes and politicians, …
Which countries’ sharemarkets are most likely to benefit from the economic recovery?
By Jeff Mitchell, Head of Investment Research, Australian Unity Personal Financial Services Strengthening Australian economy In Australia, the reporting season was mostly in line with market expectations and some solid …
Trump v Clinton: who will be better for the US sharemarket?
By Fidelity International (Reproduced with permission) US voters are about to decide the 45th President of the United States by choosing between Republican nominee, Donald Trump, or Democrat nominee, Hillary …
Investment markets update
Investment markets update – view short video here: https://goo.gl/4K7CvQ
How long will your savings last in retirement?
Try our ‘Money Life Calculator’ to read more click following link http://goo.gl/pFh8nW
The global share market volatility continues, but so does a gradual recovery
A stunning Brexit referendum result, Australian election uncertainty and increased tension in the Middle East are the most recent drivers of volatility in our markets. Previous concerns about slower growth …
What level of return should we accept from shares?
When we look at historical returns, we find that over very long periods of time, in a variety of countries, shares have generally produced returns of around 2 – 5% …
Superannuation year-end planning for 2015/16 – how do the Federal Budget proposals change your intent to contribute prior to 1 July 2016?
Understanding what you could do before and after 30 June 2016 can provide the icing on the tax cake for employees, investors and those in small business. Such things as …
Notes on Scary Markets From Your Sketch-Wielding Drill Sergeant
I want to talk to you about scary markets. For the sake of this particular subject, I want to be blunt and a little bit in your face. So for …
The advantages of renting over home ownership
A few years ago I conducted some research for a book I was writing and was surprised to discover that the top two things we want from our money are …
Why ‘short-termism’ is hard-wired in investors (and why it’s bad for their wealth)
At the start of a new year, investors tend to ponder the prospects for the subsequent 12 months. It says something of how short term the focus in markets has …
Federal Budget 2016: An economic plan, not just another budget …
A pre-election budget is not usually the forum to announce unpopular measures to the voting public and the Treasurer did not disappoint; with a budget that did not target social …
Global economic outlook points to a sustained recovery in share markets
Investors have experienced continued volatility in share markets this year, with some media articles urging investors to ‘sell everything’ only worsening the situation. Nonetheless, economic data has remained largely positive …
The outlook for the Australian sharemarket is positive, despite the current bout of volatility.
Free webinar (6 mins): what’s causing a lot of the sharemarket volatility at the moment? You can view the webinar (you need sound) by clicking on this link. http://goo.gl/6RVzwj
What’s the secret to reducing investment volatility?
What is a Diversified Portfolio? A diversified portfolio invests in each of the major asset classes, in proportions that suit the risk & return profile of the investor. The major …
Consumers warned about cold calling scam impersonating ASIC and other government departments
Australian Securities and Investments Commission (ASIC) – Australia’s corporate, markets and financial services regulator – urges consumers to be wary of cold callers claiming to represent ASIC or other government …
Here’s how a tiny 0.63% p.a. may save you an incredible $85,216 on your mortgage
Here’s an example of why it may pay to find a lower interest rate on your home loan. For the sake of this example, let’s assume that the rate offered …
$A tipped to fall below 90 US cents soon
THE Australian dollar this week could well fall below 90 US cents for the first time in almost three years as healthy US jobs data boosts the greenback. t 0700 …
One third of Aussies have no savings
Almost one in five Australians would struggle to come up with $1,000 to cover an emergency expense, while one in three people live from paycheck to paycheck, spending everything they …
Dividends on top of income tree
Dividend growth over the past 10 years. INCOME is king in our post-GFC world, and king of the kings at the moment is dividends from shares. Attractive tax benefits, better …
10 brilliant quotes from Warren Buffett – the world’s greatest investor
WHEN the world’s richest investor speaks, people listen. Warren Buffett, an 82-year-old American worth about $44 billion and nicknamed the “Oracle of Omaha”, is the most quoted investor on the …
Five financial resolutions for 2013
Get your finances on track in 2013, with five New Year’s resolutions you can keep. The start of a brand new year is a great time to take control of …