Does debt matter? The diverging tales of the eurozone and the emerging markets

From

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 reading
14 Mar 2014

0 comments

Financial Planning Week addresses financial topics close to our hearts

From

The 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

continue reading
22 Aug 2013

0 comments

Financial Planning Association hosts 13th Financial Planning Week

From

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

continue reading
14 Aug 2013

0 comments

Aussies are still saying no to debt

From

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

continue reading
01 May 2013

0 comments

Oliver’s Insights: Debt – how does Australia compare?

From

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

continue reading
13 Nov 2012

0 comments

Trade surplus hits seven month high

From

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

continue reading
05 Jul 2011

0 comments

RBA confirms that it is ‘wait and see’ mode

From

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

continue reading
24 Jun 2011

0 comments

CommSec: Lending near 5-year low; Credit cards shunned

From

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

continue reading
14 Jun 2011

0 comments

Strategy Monthly: Euro confusion

From

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

continue reading
06 May 2011

0 comments

Domestic Covered Bonds

From

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

continue reading
21 Apr 2011

0 comments