Home values rise 1.1%

The CoreLogic Home Value Index recorded a 1.1% rise in dwelling values in August, with six of the eight capital cities recording a lift in dwelling values over the month. Performance of the combined regional areas remained comparatively soft, with dwelling values virtually flat at -0.1%.

The strong combined capital cities headline result masks the underlying movements associated with dwelling values which are trending differently from region to region and across the broad property types.

In Sydney and Melbourne, dwelling values continued to increase at more than 1% month-on-month, with the cumulative growth (June 2012 to date) now reaching 64% in Sydney and 44% in Melbourne. Outside of Sydney and Melbourne, the third highest rate of capital gain over the same period was Brisbane at 18%, and was as low as 4% for Darwin.

The most recent twelve month period has seen dwelling values rise by a lower 7% per annum, with Perth and Darwin the only capital cities to record a fall in dwelling values over the same period, dealing by 4.2% in both cities. Softer economic conditions and a significant fall in overseas migration rates, together with an increasing net outflow of residents to other states and territories, has made a substantial dent in housing demand, reducing values and rental returns.

Read the full report here.

Interest Rates Steady

The RBA has resolved to keep interest rates on hold at 1.5 per cent ahead of a possible US rate hike on 21 September and the release of Australian CPI figures on 26 October.

As expected, RBA governor Glenn Stevens’ final meeting before handing over the reins to his successor Philip Lowe proved to be uneventful.

The decision to keep rates on hold was in line with market expectations, with the ASX 30 Day Interbank Cash Rate Futures September 2016 contract pricing in a 95 per cent chance of ‘no change’ to the cash rate.

UBS chief economist Scott Haslem said the RBA is likely to remain on hold for the “foreseeable future” given firm growth data, a likely lower trend in the Australian dollar and concern about financial stability.

“While inflation will remain low, core inflation is likely to drift modestly higher from here,” Mr Haslem said.

The ANU Centre for Applied Macroeconomics Analysis (CAMA) Shadow Board attached a 57 per cent probability to 1.5 per cent being the correct policy setting.

“The CAMA RBA Shadow Board clearly believes that the cash rate should not be cut any further,” said the Shadow Board. “After the RBA’s decision in August to cut the cash rate to a historic low of 1.5 per cent, there is good reason to pause.

“Unemployment fell slightly, but only because of a large increase in part-time employment. With consumer price inflation equaling 1 per cent year-on-year, well below the RBA’s 2-3 per cent target band, and wage growth a modest 2.1 per cent year-on-year, there exist little immediate inflationary pressures,” said the Shadow Board.

Rick Maggi

Scams: Be Aware

More than 105,000 scams were reported to the Australian Competition and Consumer Commission (ACCC) last year, resulting in losses of more than $84 million. And that's just the tip of the iceberg: many more scams went unreported, often because the victim was too embarrassed to tell authorities about the crime.

To help combat the increasing number of scams, Macquarie Bank have compiled a list of the 12 most common ones they've come across.

See the list here

UK votes to leave

With UK voters narrowly voting to leave the EU markets, and Prime Minister David Cameron announcing his resignation, markets are reacting quite negatively to the news, as expected.

As outlined in the email the blog post below, the ‘Leave' vote will create a period of instability over the coming days and weeks, creating a potential buying opportunity in the short term. This may also add to the case for the RBA to cut interest rates, which was likely to happen anyway.

We’ll continue to monitor the situation, but in the meantime, it is important not to get too perturbed by the media frenzy as this is likely to be a storm in a teacup.

Enjoy your weekend (and stay away from the newspapers!).

For more information, contact Rick Maggi on 9382 8885 or rickmaggi@westmount.com.au.

Brexit: Stay or Leave?

A balanced summary of the pros and cons of a Brexit ahead of tomorrow's vote. Enjoy! Read more here

For more information, contact Rick Maggi on 9382 8885 or rickmaggi@westmount.com.au.

History on the run...

When news breaks and markets move, content-starved media often invite talking heads to muse on the repercussions. Knowing the difference between this speculative opinion and actual facts can help investors keep their nerve.

Read more here

The Economy: Not so bad

The past few weeks have been messy with Brexit, the Australian election, terrorist attacks and an attempted coup in Turkey. But rather than dwelling on what's happened so far this year, this article gives us 9 reasons why the future may begin to look a little brighter. A good read!

Read more here

REASONS TO BE CHEERFUL

AMP Capital's Dr Shane Oliver cuts through some of the current pessimism and finds some good, credible reasons to be optimistic. Be aware of the usual seasonal weakness, but don't let it paralyse you with fear... Read more here

For more information, contact Rick Maggi on 9382 8885 or rickmaggi@westmount.com.au.

Insurance Bonds. Really?

Looking for a legal tax haven? There's no need to look offshore - how about one you can get in Australia that's taxed internally at 30 per cent, doesn't need to appear on your annual tax return and if you hold it for 10 years you can withdraw it without paying any tax?

Welcome to the not so new alternative to superannuation - insurance bonds.

As the dust settles from the Federal Budget earlier this month, insurance bonds have suddenly been getting a lot of love from advisers and investors, and for good reason. With the Federal Government effectively deciding that the wealthy can look after themselves, superannuation has been reduced from a five star to a four star investment, still incredibly tax effective and worth the effort, just not quite what it used to be, particularly for those with large superannuation balances. Enter insurance bonds.

What is an insurance bond? Just to refresh your memory, they are a tax-paid investment, with the bond fund paying up to 30 per cent tax on your behalf. All money invested in them comes from after-tax dollars, but there is no limit on the amount you can invest and your money is accessible at anytime.

Because the earnings accrue within the fund there is no assessable income to declare on your tax return each year, and if you hold them for 10 years or more all proceeds can be redeemed tax-free. This makes them ideal for people who want to reduce income for purposes such as maximising the family tax payment, or becoming eligible for the Commonwealth Seniors Health Card.

And if the bond is redeemed earlier than 10 years, the proceeds are taxable as normal income, but the holder is entitled to a rebate of 30 per cent, which effectively makes the bonds almost tax-free for most investors at any stage. For example there tax on $10,000 profit will be $3,250 but the rebate will be $3,000, so the holder will have just $200 tax to pay.

They also offer significant capital gains tax advantages. They can be transferred from one investor to another at any time without capital gains tax, and within the bond you can switch between a range of investment options (like Australian and international shares) without triggering capital gains tax whenever you feel it is appropriate.

Insurance bonds also handy for older investors who can no longer contribute to super, and investing for kids and grandkids.

Assuming the latest round of Budget proposals are passed, expect to hear more about insurance bonds in the coming year.

For more information, contact Rick Maggi on 9382 8885 or rickmaggi@westmount.com.au.

2016/17 Federal Budget

As usual, the pre-Budget fears and scaremongering turned out to be largely unwarranted. With a significant focus on superannuation, last night's Federal Budget was in many ways a relief to the majority of Australians with superannuation and pensions. In fact, there were a number of positive proposals put forward like the removal not the work test and the reintroduction of tax deductible personal super contributions (up to $25,000). 2016-2017 Federal Budget Summary

For more information, contact Rick Maggi on 9382 8885 or rickmaggi@westmount.com.au.

Interest rate cut (finally)...

For the first time in 12 months, the Reserve Bank of Australia (RBA) has announced it cut the cash rate by 25 basis points to 1.75 per cent.

The RBA's decision to cut the official interest rate comes after a surprisingly low inflation figure of 1.3 per cent year-on-year was released last Wednesday.

The ASX futures market has been pricing in a 50/50 chance of a rate cut to 1.75 per cent versus 'no change' since the release of the inflation figures.

With a target inflation rate of between 2-3 per cent, concerns about a lack of growth in the Australian economy spurred by the low Consumer Price Index readings appear to have forced the RBA's hand.

Last week's low inflation numbers had made a May rate cut likely, despite the fact that the federal budget is on the same day.

For more information, contact Rick Maggi on 9382 8885 or rickmaggi@westmount.com.au.

Monthly Property Prices

With the exception of Hobart, all capital cities experienced an uptick in prices over the last month. View here

For more information, contact Rick Maggi on 9382 8885 or rickmaggi@westmount.com.au.

The Polyphony of Markets

Dimensional's Jim Parker discusses the importance of international diversification within investment portfolios. The article serves as a timely reminder to superannuation members, retirees, and investors to look beyond attempting to pick winners and, instead, focusing on the bigger picture - or "the effect of how all the parts fit together". Worth a read. The Polyphony of Markets

Does your investment portfolio have the right balance?

For more information, contact Rick Maggi on 9382 8885 or rickmaggi@westmount.com.au.

Budget SPECULATION RIFE

There will be added interest in the Federal Budget announcement next week (May 3rd) as it's likely to be the final major economic statement the Government makes before the election later this year, quite possibly July 2nd. With the opposition taking a strong stance on capital gains tax and negative gearing, we're looking at a focus this year on taxation. Corporate tax could be cut by up to 1.5% however, there is likely to be minimal, if any, relief in terms of personal income tax.

There may also be some changes to superannuation. Some potential changes might be reduced contribution caps, the concessional 15% tax on super contributions, an end to 'Transition to Retirement' pensions and taxes on superannuation pension payments.

Overall, the outlook is for minimal growth in government spending, with spending offset by savings elsewhere in the Budget.

Where sharemarkets are concerned, historically we have seen some sideways tracking in past election years, but there has been no evidence to date of a lasting impact caused by an election. In fact, Australian economic growth has actually been strong during election years since 1980.

We'll be watching the announcements closely next week and will keep our clients informed of any meaningful developments.

For more information, contact Rick Maggi on 9382 8885 or rickmaggi@westmount.com.au.