2012 and beyond….a list of lists

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I was determined that after writing endlessly about Europe last year that my first note this year would not be on Europe. And it isn’t (well mostly not anyway). Rather... Read more continue reading

Enter the (year of) the dragon!

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Will Asian economic growth translate to growth in equity prices in the Chinese New Year of the dragon? “We think it will,” says David Urquhart, Portfolio Manager for the Fidelity... Read more continue reading

Tame inflation but petrol pain ahead

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Inflation is under control: The TD Securities-Melbourne Institute monthly inflation gauge rose by 0.5 per cent in December and stands 2.4 per cent higher than a year ago. Excluding volatile... Read more continue reading

Weekly market & economic update

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The European Central Bank’s (ECB) first monetary policy meeting for 2012 saw no significant changes with interest rates staying on hold at 1.0%. There were some notable comments on Europe’s... Read more continue reading

Friday 13th…should investors be nervous?

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Over the past 15 times that the 13th has occurred on a Friday, the Dow Jones has fallen 7 times and the All Ordinaries has fallen 5 times. So on... Read more continue reading

What’s the best asset allocation for 2012?

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We are experiencing a second round of the global financial crisis, says Trevor Greetham, Director of Asset Allocation at Fidelity Worldwide Investment. The first round was caused when banks and... Read more continue reading

Job vacancies slide to 18-month lows

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Job vacancies fell by 3.3 per cent in the December quarter (November reference month) to 181,000 vacancies – marking the lowest result in 18 months. Across the sectors the bulk... Read more continue reading

Slower Chinese imports points to stimulus

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China’s trade surplus expanded from $14.5 billion to $16.5 billion in December, well above forecasts centred on an $8.78 billion surplus. Imports slower than expected: Exports rose 13.4 per cent... Read more continue reading

2011 year in review…Europe, politics and natural disasters

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The year 2011 will be remembered for the European Debt Crisis and a spate of natural disasters. Asian economies generally held firm but so-called “advanced nations” continued to struggle. In... Read more continue reading

ETF monthly update – December 2011

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During the 2011 year, 10 new ETFs and five new ETCs were quoted, while average trading value increased by 22.3% and 35.5% respectively. Net inflows into ETFs over the quarterly period... Read more continue reading