SMSF

Why All The Share Market Volatility?

Why All The Share Market Volatility?

The return of inflation has been mentioned quite a lot recently as a reason why share markets are jumpy all of a sudden, by what has the return of inflation in the United States really got to do with share market volatility?

9 COMMON INVESTMENT MISTAKES

9 COMMON INVESTMENT MISTAKES

FROM THE VAULT:

(Originally posted on 24 November 2016)

The 9 Habits of highly ineffective investors...

As the Trump rally continues, its important to stop, take a deep breath and think about potential pitfalls going forward as the fear of missing out and 'animal spirits' take centre stage.

Many of the mistakes investors make are based on common sense rules of thumb that turn out to be wrong...

The True Value of Advice

The True Value of Advice

Does investing in a financial planner really pay off? According to the latest research from Sunsuper you could be thousands of dollars better off when you make choices based on professional financial advice. Plus you’ll take more family holidays, have greater peace of mind and more confidence in your financial decisions...

What is the risk of a US recession?

What is the risk of a US recession?

Was the 10% selloff the 'entree' of what's to come, or just a 10% correction?

Is a Self Managed Super Fund right for you?

Is a Self Managed Super Fund right for you?

Self-managed super funds (SMSFs) have become increasingly popular in recent years, but they come with many pros and cons and are certainly not for everyone.

They are often called ‘do-it-yourself’ or DIY super funds and, as their name suggests, they are super funds that are managed by their members...

Downsize your home, contribute to super

Downsize your home, contribute to super

From 1 July 2018, Australians aged 65 years or older will be able to make a non-concessional (after-tax) contribution into their superannuation (up to $300,000 each) from the sale proceeds of their family home, if they have owned the property for at least 10 years...

Interest rates unchanged

Interest rates unchanged

The Reserve Bank of Australia has today announced the official cash rate for February following its monthly board meeting. The RBA board has decided to keep the cash rate at 1.5 per cent, a move predicted by most industry experts...

Time for a share market correction?

Time for a share market correction?

Is this the beginning of a share market correction we had to have?

5 issues to consider before tying the knot...

5 issues to consider before tying the knot...

Before your big day, much of the financial talk may have been around budgeting for your wedding and planning your honeymoon. But while not nearly as exciting, there’s another vital part of your new partnership that should be considered: your future finances.

Finances can be one of the biggest sources of stress and tension in a marriage. However, open communication and careful planning now can help you avoid many problems down the road.

Here are five important areas to examine before you walk down the aisle:

Inflation: The risks to shares & property

Inflation: The risks to shares & property

The global risks to inflation and bond yields are finally shifting to the upside, with investment markets starting to take note as evident in the pullback in global share markets seen over the last few days. But how big is the risk? Are we on the brink of another bond crash that will engulf other assets like shares and property? 

2018: A List of Lists

2018: A List of Lists

Although 2017 saw the usual worry list – around President Trump, elections in Europe, China, North Korea and Australian property – it was good for investors. Balanced super funds had returns around 10%, which is pretty good given inflation was around 2%. This year has started favourably but volatility may pick up as geopolitical threats loom a little larger and US inflation rises. This note provides a summary of key insights on the global investment outlook in simple dot point form...

Market outlook for 2018

Market outlook for 2018

By the standards of recent years, 2017 was relatively quiet. Sure there was the usual “worry list” – about Trump, elections in Europe, China as always, North Korea and the perennial property crash in Australia. And there was a mania in bitcoin. But overall it has been pretty positive for investors...

Superannuation: Housing Measures Passed

Superannuation: Housing Measures Passed

Two very important housing affordability measures were passed on December 7th - the First Home Super Saver Scheme & Downsizer Contributions...

Investing: Cautious optimism better for your health...

Investing: Cautious optimism better for your health...

At the start of last year, with global and Australian shares down around 20% from their April/May 2015 highs, the big worry was that the global economy was going back into recession and that there will be another Global Financial Crisis (GFC). Now, with share markets having had a strong run higher, it seems to have been replaced by worries that a crash is around the corner and this will give us the global recession and new GFC that we missed last year!

Market Update: Bubbles, busts, and bitcoin

Market Update: Bubbles, busts, and bitcoin

The surge in bitcoin has attracted much interest. Over the last five years, it has soared from $US12 to over $US8000; this year it’s up 760%. Its enthusiasts see it as the currency of the future and increasingly as a way to instant riches with rapid price gains only reinforcing this view... 

Another Tech-Bubble?

Another Tech-Bubble?

A quick look at the valuations of the so called FAANMG group of stocks – Facebook, Apple, Amazon, Net ix, Microsoft and Google – and it certainly feels like it we’re in a tech stocks bubble a-la the late 1990s.

But does that mean we’re going to see another tech-stock crash? 

A Better Retirement

A Better Retirement

Today, with Australians living longer and healthier lives, the concept of retirement is much different to what it was only one generation ago. For each retiree, retirement is different.

Typically, there are four areas that need to be considered to help you better understand your retirement goals and objectives. These are...

Retirement: Life after work

Retirement: Life after work

Superannuation stumbling blocks

What’s stopping you from saving for a retirement you can really look forward to? Take a look at these four common barriers to saving more super and make a plan for having all your goals and financial priorities in order...