The year in review, the year ahead

From

CommSec has been heartened by developments in recent months and is hopeful of further settling of global economic conditions and improvement in confidence levels at home and abroad.

The deal on the so-called “fiscal cliff” and raproachment between the two Koreas provide us with further optimism on the year ahead.

There are risks – there always are. But 2012 was generally a good year. Despite all the risks, the Australian economy grew again, inflation was contained, unemployment held near 5%, sharemarket returns lifted almost 19% and home prices fell only slightly. We challenge investors to identify an advanced economy in better shape.

CommSec’s outlook provides a broad view, highlighting some risks and forecast ranges for economic and financial variables. In the past analysts have attempted the near impossible: provide point estimates for variables in a year’s time. But we believe that investors are more interested in a view or scenario about where things are headed and forecast ranges for key variables.

To read CommSec’s review of 2012 and outlook for 2013, Click Here.