New Financial Year. Fresh Start.
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24/06/13: The Fed, Interest Rates and Bonds
Market Update...
Recent market falls and noise around the US Federal Reserve's potential moves going forward has been rattling investors. The following is a candid and easy to understand article on the subject from AMP Capital's Dr Shane Oliver. Rick Maggi. Read more here
18/06/12: Greek election "a victory for all of Europe"
Pro-austerity parties to rule...
Markets are breathing a sigh of relief after yesterday's elections in Greece, with the moderate centre-right party winning enough seats to govern in a coalition with another, established pro-austerity party. At the time of writing, share markets have rebounded strongly on the positive news. Watch video here. Rick Maggi
13/06/13: Jumping off the Currency Cart
Why should it matter to you as an investor?
In this brief article, Dimensional's Jim Parker comments on currency speculators and just how spectacularly wrong most individual and professional investors get it. A good read. Rick Maggi. Jumping Off the Currency Cart
06/06/13: Recent market losses
Sell in May and go away, or something more sinister?
Recent share market falls have taken some of the lustre from the stellar gains we've witnessed over the last year, although investment returns remain extraordinary to date. So is the perennial "sell in May and go away" behind the recent market correction or is there more to it than that? The following is an easy to understand three-minute video commentary (just released) from AMP Capital's Dr Shane Oliver that should help to calm the nerves... Rick Maggi. Watch Video
07/05/13: The Aussie dollar - is the best really behind it?
Where to from here?
Has the Australian dollar peaked? What can we expect going forward? What can you do to take advantage? Rick Maggi. Read more here
07/05/13: Alert: Cash rate cut by 25 basis points
The comfort and safety of Term Deposits is a double-edged sword...
The Reserve Bank of Australia has just reduced the cash rate by 0.25% to 2.75% effective 8 May 2013. The RBA's Media Release is below. This action is in response to a slowing Australian economy (unemployment is rising, retail and government spending is falling, mining is sluggish, and taxes are set to rise).
Leading brokers are now predicting that our cash rate is headed to 2% and billionaire investor George Soros is betting that the Australian dollar will fall. Against this backdrop, interest rates are likely to continue their drift downwards, which is bad news for term deposit investors, and will probably encourage more Australians back into higher dividend yielding shares, much like the recent American experience (US markets are now trading about 4% above their all-time highs, primarily on the back of very low interest rates).
As the Australian market remains 23% below pre-GFC levels, it is quite conceivable that our markets will get a boost from falling interest rates, provided the global picture doesn't deteriorate. Rick Maggi. RBA Statement
02/05/13: Japan's monetary easing and global markets
What are the implications for Australia?
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
12/04/13: Are we in for another bout of weakness?
Olivers Insights
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
30/03/12: Should super funds have more bonds?
Shares or Bonds?
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
23/03/12: Global recovery watch
Mid-year scare on the horizon?
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.
20/03/13: Running to Stand Still
'Outside The Flags' (Jim Parker, Dimensional)
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'
18/02/13: 2013 Rays of Hope
The start of the new year...
A refreshing take on the new year from Vanguard's Robin Bowerman… Read Here
16/03/13: Don't worry about a stock market drop...
Feeling a little Vertigo?
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.
06/03/13: Dow smashes record as US stocks surge
All-time high...
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.
01/03/13: A new long-term bull market edging closer...
...but may be somewhat constrained
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
27/02/13: Italian elections & European risk
Where to from here?
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
27/02/13: What is the prediction for Gold in 2013?
CommSec Gold Commentary...
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
16/02/13: Market Dashboard: 15 Feb 2013
Facts and figures at your fingertips...
A quick snapshot of share markets, superannuation funds, commodities, rates and more. Enjoy! Rick Maggi. Dashboard
06/02/13: Shares, property, bonds or cash?
Which way to go?
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?