New low for first-time buyers; Confident businesses

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Latest economic data; Chinese inflation; Weekly Petrol The number of new owner-occupier housing loans was largely unchanged in April but the share of first-time buyers in the market equalled the record... Read more continue reading

Weekly market & economic update – week ending 6 June, 2014

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Investment markets and key developments over the past week Global share markets mainly rose over the past week on the back of further monetary stimulus from the European Central Bank.... Read more continue reading

FPA says professionally assured co-regulatory model the right way forward

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Australia’s peak professional financial planning body today revealed evidence that a co-regulatory system will promote better outcomes for consumers and help restore trust in Australia’s financial advice system. Mark Rantall... Read more continue reading

Perspective: The week ahead

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The ECB cut rates and introduced aggressive expansionary measures to lift EZ growth. The US payrolls data tonight will likely set the tone for markets next week. The US and... Read more continue reading

Exports to China hit new highs

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International Trade Trade swings back into deficit: Australia’s trade accounts moved back into the red in April, recording a deficit of $122 million. But the March trade surplus was revised... Read more continue reading

Fortnum appoints national sales manager

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Fortnum Financial Group has appointed Joel Taylor to the newly-created role of national sales manager. Taylor joins Fortnum from NAB Wealth & MLC where he was business growth manager for... Read more continue reading

AFA and Zurich announce new chapter in Adviser of the Year Award

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The Association of Financial Advisers (AFA) and foundation award partner Zurich yesterday announced a new chapter in the Adviser of the Year Award Program (the Award program), with the best... Read more continue reading

Launch of new SMA service on iRate

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Investment research and investment management company van Eyk Research has launched a new separately managed account (SMA) service, as a growing number of financial advisers look to recommend direct investments.... Read more continue reading

Australian economy: What’s not to like?

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National accounts Another quarter of growth: The record-breaking economic expansion is in its 23rd year. The Australian economy grew by 1.1 per cent in the March quarter (fastest rate in two years)... Read more continue reading

Housing affordability shows slight improvement for March quarter

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The March Quarter edition of the Adelaide Bank/REIA Housing Affordability Report shows improvements in housing affordability in all states and territories when compared to the same quarter in 2013. Commenting... Read more continue reading