News Updates
AS IT HAPPENS
With the end of the financial year fast approaching, now is a great time to take advantage of various superannuation, insurance and tax strategies to reduce costs, save tax and streamline your finances.
Below is a useful guide to help you get there, but if you have any doubts or concerns, please contact us or discuss your personal circumstances with your financial adviser or tax specialist before taking action. Rick Maggi. Read Smart EOFY Guide
Has the Australian dollar peaked? What can we expect going forward? What can you do to take advantage? Rick Maggi. Read more here
Following the recent changes to Japan's monetary policy, AMP Capital's Dr Shane Oliver discusses it's implications for global share markets. Rick Maggi. Watch Now
Here's the good news. The changes were not 'draconian', as feared in recent weeks. In fact, most Australian's won't be impacted by the tweaks to investment earnings tax on pension balances. The bad news is that all of this adds greater complexity to an already complex area, which is why you should speak to your financial planner. Below is a bullet point summary of the changes, but there are other areas to consider as well, so call us. Rick Maggi. Super Changes
After a strong start to the year, share markets have had a few wobbles lately and bonds have rallied again. Sell in May and go away? Rick Maggi. Read more here
In this article, Dr Shane Oliver looks at the recent move to the relative safety of bonds and whether now is the right time to be making the shift. Read more here
So far this year we have seen solid gains in global share markets. Economic news has been positive with receding tails risks regarding Europe, greater confidence of continued growth in the US and some lessening worries about China. But there was also a burst of confidence in early 2010 and early 2011. Read more here.
Trying to correctly time your entry point to the market is never easy. Just ask the experts. This brief article written by Jim Parker, VP of Dimensional (DFA) Australia, is another reminder of the perils of market timing. Let me know if you'd like a copy of Jim Parker's book 'Outside the Flags' - an easy, enjoyable read. Rick Maggi. Read 'Running to Stand Still'
A refreshing take on the new year from Vanguard's Robin Bowerman… Read Here
With US share markets at all time highs and Australian markets quickly gaining ground, it is only natural to feel a little nervous about what might be around the corner. British Journalist and Economist, Anatole Kaletsky, suggests that you might want to take a different view. Read more here. Enjoy! Rick Maggi.
The Dow Jones Industrial Average soared to an all-time record high on Tuesday, passing the five-year old mark to leave behind the deep losses of the economic crisis. The positive impact on Australian superannuation and pension funds has been huge. Read More Here. Rick Maggi.
This is a fascinating article from AMP Capital's Dr Shane Oliver, which suggests that the long-term 'secular bear market' which has plagued investors since the year 2000 is about to end, making way for a new longer running bull market, but with some limitations. Worth a read. Rick Maggi. Read here... Bull market getting closer
With an inconclusive election result and a general unwillingness to reform their economy, Italy's future (and therefore Europe's), is back in the spotlight, impacting on share markets and overall confidence. This is a brief report on the topic. Rick Maggi Italian Election/European Risk
The following is a 3 minute video commentary from CommSec about the prospects for gold during 2013 and 2014. Enjoy. Rick Maggi. Gold prediction video
A quick snapshot of share markets, superannuation funds, commodities, rates and more. Enjoy! Rick Maggi. Dashboard
Will your superannuation money be distributed according to your wishes? This article highlights the importance of a little planning in this area. Rick Maggi. Read here
In this easy to understand article, AMP Capital's Dr Shane Oliver discusses the four investments options and their possible performance over the next few years. The second article takes a look at the current share market 'boom' and it's potential to be longer lasting than past recoveries. Rick Maggi
Shares, Property, Bonds or Cash? Shares: How Long Can It Last?
This article discusses the Bank of Japan's recent decision to raise its inflation target and introduce open ended 'quantitative easing'. It sounds complicated but it is a good read and simply explained. Enjoy. Rick Maggi Japanese Reflation
An excellent overview of 2012 and a refreshingly bold attempt to map out the next twelve months, by AMP Capital's Dr Shane Oliver. Take a close look at the table of investment returns and forecasts. Enjoy! Rick Maggi
While the RBA once again loosened monetary policy in December, the Bank continues to see a silver lining on every economic cloud and is yet to acknowledge that the Australian economy is entering a much more difficult environment now that mining investment has peaked. While many believe that the RBA will ultimately be forced to cut the cash rate to 2%, it seems pretty clear that the RBA still remains hopeful that the rate cuts it has already undertaken will be sufficient to revive growth. As such, it appears that until there is irrefutable proof that mining investment has peaked, or that unemployment is rising sharply, the RBA will remain a reluctant rate cutter, as indeed it has been over the past year. Rick Maggi Update: Since the 25 basis point cut yesterday, most of the major banks have since cut their loan rates by about 20 basis points.
