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?
18/12/12: Outlook for 2013.
Olivers Insights
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
05/12/12: RBA cuts cash rate to 3%
But the song remains the same
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.
20/11/12: November Market & Economic Update
November 2012 Economic Update (Easy Reading)
AMP Capital's Dr Shane Oliver presents a brief market and economic snapshot. Enjoy. Rick Maggi. Market & Economic Update
06/11/12: Rates on hold in November
Interest rates left on hold for now
The Reserve Bank has elected to leave official interest rates on hold at 3.25 per cent, defying economists bets on a Cup Day cut. A survey of 27 economists by financial news service Bloomberg had 20 tipping a rate cut. However, the RBA has elected to break a six-year streak of moving interest rates on the first Tuesday in November.
The decision keeps the cash rate just above a low of 3 per cent that it dropped to in 2009 during the peak of the economic fallout from the Global Financial Crisis. The general view is that the RBA, always vigilant to fight off inflationary pressures, is taking a wait and see approach as the US economy slowly recovers and China's economy begins to stabilise.
Australia now has the highest interest rates of anywhere in the developed world. While lower interest rates would be a welcome development for borrowers, retirees will benefit from today's decision. But it's also important to note that very low rates is a sign that conditions have deteriorated - never a good thing So i think today, along with the Melbourne Cup, is a good day to celebrate.
20/10/12: Viewpoint: Jim O'Neill
Jim O'Neill, Chairman of Goldman Sachs...
Below is a brief global economic update (China, US, UK & Eurozone) from the Chairman of Goldman Sachs, Jim O'Neill… Viewpoint with Jim O'Neill
16/10/12: Managing super in challenging times
Your questions answered...
The last few years since the GFC have been difficult for investors - each time share markets take a step forward, changes in the global economy pull them back. Paul Clitheroe joins AMP Capital's Dr Shane Oliver to provide their views on where share markets are placed and how to navigate the period ahead. Also included is a link on the Eurozone (easy reading). Enjoy. Rick Maggi.
02/10/12: RBA cuts interest rates
25 basis point cut...
The Reserve Bank has cut interest rates by 25 basis points, taking the official cash rate to 3.25 per cent. More here. Rick Maggi
19/09/12: Q&A on QE3
What is it? Why do it?
AMP Capital's Dr Shane Oliver discusses the potential consequences for investors and retirees of the US Federal Reserve's recent decision to commence another round of 'quantitative easing'. This is an easy to understand article, well worth a quick read. Enjoy. Rick Maggi. Read more here.
14/08/12: If you invested $10,000 thirty years ago...
The Vanguard 2012 Index Chart
There's nothing quite like time to smooth out the rough patches and provide investors with some perspective. This chart, just released by Vanguard, shows what would have happened to a $10,000 investment made in 1982 had an investor selected either Australian shares, international shares, US shares, listed property, Australian bonds or cash. While the final result will likely surprise many, I believe the wide gap between Australian shares and cash is the standout statistic. View Chart Here
29/06/12: Australian house prices - is the crash upon us?
Where to from here?
New home sales data released today for May by the HIA confirm that the housing market remains chronically weak right now. This article looks at the outlook for Australian house prices. Rick Maggi Read more here
28/06/12: What about the US?
Greek relief for now - but what about the US?
In addition to providing a brief update on Europe, this note (courtesy of AMP Capital) focusses on the US economy, both in terms of the slowdown evident in some economic indicators and the impending fiscal tightening from January 1 next year. Read more here
01/06/12: Bond funds vs term deposits
Which is better in the current environment?
Jeff Brunton, Head of Credit Markets (AMP) discusses the benefits of bond funds in an environment of declining interest rates. Rick Maggi. View video here
13/04/12: When should I retire?
A question for baby boomers...
Older baby boomers are increasingly asking themselves a short yet often difficult-to-answer question: When should I retire?
The answer, of course, can depend on many factors including health, satisfaction or otherwise with work, the availability of work, the size of a person’s retirement savings, and the outcome of discussions with spouses.
Interestingly, an article in The Wall Street Journal this month headed – “He Wants to Retire…But She Doesn’t” – suggests that many spouses do not agree about when their partners should leave the workforce.
Journalist Kathleen Hughes quotes research by a US investment fund manager which found that 62 per cent of couples surveyed disagreed with the timing of their spouse’s retirement.
The latest issue of an ABS report, Retirement and Retirement Intentions, Australia, shows that the average age at retirement of those who retired over the past five years was 61. (The average retirement age for men in this group was almost 63 compared to 60 for women.)
Not surprisingly, the ABS report shows that Australians are retiring at older ages than in the past.
Of the 3.2 million retirees aged over 45 in 2010-11 when these ABS figures were collected, the average age of retirement was 53. And of the male retirees in this group: 27 per cent had retired at under 55; 53 per cent between 55 and 64; and 20 per cent over 65.
The Wall Street Journal article and the ABS report on retirement are valuable reminders that we should carefully plan for retirement well ahead of any expected retirement date. And we should think of both the financial and social aspects of retirement – including, of course, the views of our spouses. Rick Maggi.
13/04/12: Some encouraging modern history...
March quarter foreshadows strong returns ahead...
In this brief article, filled with positive messages, Elm Capital's John Robertson takes a look at the strong start to 2012 and what we might expect for the remainder of 2012, based on modern history. Let's hope he's right. Enjoy! Rick Maggi Read here
04/11/11: Shares and the long term - how long is long?
A timely reminder
As Greece assesses it's options, bringing global markets on an emotional roller coaster along the way, AMP Capital's Dr Shane Oliver takes a sober look at the long-term performance of shares versus cash and bonds - easy reading. Read here
21/10/11: Market Dashboard
Market Dashboard
A snapshot view of global sharemarkets, interest rates, currency, superannuation and other financial data. Read here Rick Maggi.
16/09/11: Market Dashboard: 16 September 2011
Dashboard
A snapshot view of today's global markets, interest rates, currency, commodities, fund performance and more. View Dashboard