Bond markets are full of surprises. Core government bonds have been one of the strongest performing asset classes in 2014, propelled in part by worrying signs of emerging market stress. Emerging market (EM) debt has suffered relentlessly for nearly a year, scant reward for those emerging economies that spent most of the last decade bolstering […]
continue readingThe questions financial planners are most asked, as well as the most debated topics from last year’s Financial Planning Week will form the basis of the key areas for discussion during this year’s Financial Planning Week. Financial Planning Week, an initiative by the Financial Planning Association (FPA), will run nationally from 26th August to 1stSeptember. Mark […]
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22
Aug
2013
The Financial Planning Association (FPA) is set to hold the 13th annual Financial Planning Week from 26 August – 1 September. This week-long consumer initiative is designed to encourage, educate and empower Australians to discover the positive difference that certified financial advice can make to their everyday lives. Financial Planning Week provides all Australians with […]
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14
Aug
2013
Private sector credit (loans outstanding) rose by 0.2 per cent in March. Credit stands 3.2 per cent higher than a year ago but has grown at a 2.2 per cent annualised pace in the past six months – a 38-month low. What do the figures show? Private sector credit (lending) rose by 0.2 per cent […]
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01
May
2013
This edition of Oliver’s Insights looks at total debt outstanding across major countries to see how Australia compares. The key points are as follows: Australia has a low level of total debt compared to other major countries. But while public and corporate debt is low, one area of greater vulnerability is household debt. A chronic […]
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13
Nov
2012
International trade; Performance of Services Australia’s trade surplus widened by $716 million to $2,333 million in May – a seven month high. Exports rose 3.2 per cent with imports up 0.4 per cent. The trade surplus with broader China (China and Hong Kong) has risen from $10.3 billion to $25 billion in the space of […]
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05
Jul
2011
In a speech by RBA Assistant Governor (Economic) Philip Lowe entitled “Inflation: The Recent Past and the Future”, Mr Lowe has reiterated that the RBA believes underlying inflation will lift only slowly, and over a matter of years rather than months. Philip Lowe didn’t flag any near-term implications for rates, noting: “While conditions are very […]
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24
Jun
2011
Lending finance; Credit & debit card statistics Lending slides again. Total lending finance fell for the third time in four months, dropping by 3.8 per cent in April to near 5-year lows. Lending is down 3.4 per cent over the year. In trend terms lending is at 8-month lows. The average credit card balance barely […]
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14
Jun
2011
Equities appear to have recovered their poise after the four-week correction from mid February to the lows around the time of the terrible events in Japan mid March. Markets have taken the ECB raising interest rates in their stride, perhaps because expectations for rate hikes in the UK and US have been pushed further out […]
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06
May
2011
While Covered Bonds may offer an appealing funding option for banks and give investors alternatives, there are risks entailed, according to Tyndall’s latest research White Paper, “Are Covered Bonds the solution?” Click to open the White Paper on Domestic Covered Bonds
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21
Apr
2011
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