Oliver’s Insights: should Australian super funds have more bonds?

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There has recently been much debate about whether Australian super funds have too much in shares and not enough in bonds. The basic argument is that compared to other major... Read more continue reading

Rate cut on the agenda, inflation to be the deciding factor

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The Reserve Bank Board has left official rates at 4.25 per cent. Last year the Reserve Bank cut rates at both the November and December meetings, each by 25 basis... Read more continue reading

A solid start to 2012

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The bad news on Europe has dried up, the US economy has continued to recover and investors believe the soft patch for Asia will be only temporary. As a result,... Read more continue reading

Consider diversifying investment terms to combat market volatility

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With investing, as with many things, timing is everything. I would like to explore a slant on this cliché by suggesting that with investing, time horizon is everything. When choosing... Read more continue reading

Weekly economic & market update

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Detailed below is the weekly economic and market report which reviews the key developments of the past week for investment markets and the outlook. Euro-zone finance ministers look likely to agree... Read more continue reading

Time to invest offshore?

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With many international equities currently outstripping their Australian counterparts, many share investors are turning their minds to investing overseas. The question is, what’s the best way to go about it?... Read more continue reading

Administrative penalties for SMSF trustees

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Trustees and directors of corporate trustees may have to pay an administrative penalty if their SMSF contravenes superannuation legislation. The size of the penalty will depend on the seriousness of... Read more continue reading

Prudent Australia braces for challenges

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The Reserve Bank has highlighted the conservative financial behaviour of households in recent years. The Bank concludes that “Few households appear to be vulnerable to falling into mortgage arrears.” The... Read more continue reading

Europe’s future depends on weakness

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It is now just over two years since then governor of the European Central Bank Governor Jean-Claude Trichet first announced an end to the ECB’s quantitative easing policy and “a... Read more continue reading

No stress, no debt Aussies

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In mid-March the Australian Bureau of Statistics released the results of the 2010 social survey for States and Territories. The results of the survey for Australia as a whole were... Read more continue reading