Brazil, Russia, India, China - Australia's future fortunes?

There is a flurry of daily news about the drop in share values, but behind the headlines perhaps we are seeing a significant shift taking place. If powerful new economies are emerging and traditional economies are slowing, how will Australia fare?

October 2011 Newsletter

The debt crisis - not our problem?

Australian investors watching the recent market turmoil may feel like innocent bystanders caught in the crossfire of the sovereign debt battles in the USA and Europe. Our own debt has a AAA rating, so how can it be our problem?

September 2011 Newsletter

Carbon Tax - The simple facts

There's a lot of noise in the media right now as economists, media commentators and political and industry advocates argue over the proposed carbon tax. This debate looks like it may well be the defining issue of the current parliament. There may be a broad agreement on achieving a 5 per cent reduction in carbon emissions by 2020 but not on the policies to achieve that, nor on the social and economic impacts.

Without endorsing one view or the other, this article attempts to clarify some of the basic facts about a carbon tax and carbon trading, and provide food for thought on its possible impact of future investments.

August 2011 Newsletter

The economic recovery...really?

Australian investors could be forgiven for feeling bewildered. This time last year there was confidence we had weathered the global economic storm better than most. That turned out to be right, but where is the big lift in prosperity - and share prises?

July 2011 Newsletter

Property: Bubble, Bust or Non-issue?

Australian house prices are falling. While that is clear, opinion is divided about the long-term outlook. Are we watching a housing bubble about to burst or a pause before returning to business as usual? Or is it something in the middle, a so-called soft landing?

June 2011 Newsletter
 

Federal Budget – 2011

The Federal Budget has delivered little in the way of surprises. Against a backdrop of media chat about cuts and tough budgets, many measures were well publicised in the run-up to treasurer Wayne Swan’s fourth budget. And, as for toughness, it will be reasonably benign in 2011–2012, with many cuts set to take effect in following years.

May 2011 Newsletter
 

Oil Prices – Black Gold

Civilian uprisings in North Africa and the Middle East have sent oil prices soaring above US$100 a barrel for the first time in over two years, putting added strain on the global economy and the consumer’s hip pocket.

April 2011 Newsletter

Federal Budget Report Overview (May 2011)

The Federal Government has announced their 2011 budget. To find out how it will affect you and your business we have created an easy to read 'snapshot'.

2011 Federal Budget Report Overview

Your Money Your Future (Autumn Edition)

Parity: but what now?

When the Australian dollar reached parity with the US dollar there was jubilation among some in the media, as if we had won a hard-run race. Had we? And, if so, where's the prize?

Autumn 2011 Financial Planning

The US Economy - Still the biggest kid on the block.

With China recently toppling Japan to become the world's second biggest economy, it prompts the question: How secure is the US at No. 1?

After all, if China's gross domestic product (GDP) is growing at 10 per cent a year, surely the status of the US as the economic powerhouse is under threat?

March 2011 Newsletter

The Lull After The Storm.

Many were surprised the Australian share market had a quiet 2010, finishing just below where it started, especially when considering the local economy came through the crisis of 2008-2009 better than most.

But a sound economy does not guarantee a lift in share prices.

February 2011 Newsletter

Can You Bank On It?

If the Reserve Bank of Australian (RBA) meets the expectations of some economists and raises the cash rate two or three times during 2011, what will your bank do?

Will they lift rates in line with the RBA increase or will they break away and lift rates independently of the official cash rate?

January 2011 Newsletter

Going Dollar for Dollar - Is parity with the US now business as usual?

When the Australian dollar (AU$) achieved parity and then topped the value of the greenback (US$) in October and November 2010 there was much excitement in the media.

It took the AU$ nearly 30 years to hit parity and the hype made it seem a breakthrough had occurred. But what does it really mean? If you are planning to take the kids to Disneyland, it is certainly good news. But if you are selling Australian holidays to tourists from the USA, it's bad news.

December 2010 Newsletter

India:  Will it be China Mark ll?

The recent Commonwealth Games put Delhi and India right in the media spotlight. Much of the coverage was cautious or negative in the weeks before, but quite different during and after the successful Games. This shift - from caution to congratulations - may be a foretaste of the way Australia comes to understand India's economic future and its importance to Australia. With all the recent focus on China, so far we have had only a glimpse of what India's growth might mean to us. Caution is understandable.

November 2010 Newsletter