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Australian Dollar being driven lower by China
Commentary & Opinion, Economic Market
The eyes of the world are focused on Greece. This week its’ people went to the polls to decide their financial future. It’s a tragic turn of events that has the potential to undermine confidence in Europe. But in my opinion China is a much bigger story. Indeed - much of the recent selloff in Australia is being driven by the correction in the mainland Chinese share market.
But first to Greece where the Greek referendum will have little immediate impact on the country’s situation. People still have access to limited cash. Bank’s cash reserves look like they’ll run out very soon.
Political leaders now go straight back to the negotiation table – this assumes the creditors will meet with Greece.
Australians refuse to part with cash
Commentary & Opinion, Economic Market
Employment in Australia is holding steady and wages are rising. Australians, however, are choosing to hang on to their hard-earned cash. Consumer spending has slowed during the past few months owing to warmer weather and the negative response to the Federal budget.
Basics of life insurance
Life Insurance, Life Insurance
We insure all sorts of things we think are important like our house or car but what could be more important than your life? James Dunn takes a keen look at Life Insurance and provides a clear view of why planning is all about putting your family first when making a decision about the right amount of cover.
Be savvy about tax
Benjamin Franklin was right: "In this world nothing can be said to be certain, except death and taxes.” That’s certainly true in investment, where any investment has tax implications. First of all in Australia, any income you receive from an investment may be added to your income, and taxed at your marginal tax rate, which is the rate of tax that applies to the income range into which your taxable income falls. Australia currently has four marginal tax rates, or five if you count nil as the tax rate on for low incomes below the tax threshold. So if you have interest from cash or bonds, dividends from shares, or rental income from a property, that is added to your assessable income and taxed at your marginal tax rate.
Bears grumble as markets decline
Commentary & Opinion, Economic Market
The bears have picked up the scent of the recent decline in equities and are starting to grumble about the potential for a new bear market. Since September, we’ve seen drops of 5%+ for the S&P500; 9%+ for the ASX200; and 9%+ for the Nikkei 225; but we think the bears are getting over excited and September’s drop is unlikely to mark the beginning of a new bear trend.
Bonds
A bond is issued by a government or company as a way of borrowing money. Investors buy the bonds, and receive an interest payment on the fixed dates, at the stated interest rate, or ‘coupon.’ The bond has a known maturity date, at which the investors are entitled to be repaid the money lent via the bond. It is possible that at maturity date the company or government cannot repay the bond or is unable to pay the coupons: .this is the main risk associated with owning a bond. Bonds can usually be bought and sold like shares, but if you sell or buy a bond before maturity it may have a different value than the initial amount loaned, which can give rise to a capital gain or loss.
Borrowing basics
Our presenter, Donna Sawyer, looks at the advantages and pitfalls of borrowing and how getting into debt is a lot easier than getting out of it. Your borrowing decision is not solely about what, why, and how much, timing can be as crucial a factor as well and as always don’t forget to read the fine print.
Borrowing to invest
DIY Investing, Stock Market DIY Investing
You can invest in the share market by borrowing money to buy more shares than you might afford. To many this might sound terrifying and they should avoid it but it’s really much the same concept as borrowing to buy a house. Learn what ‘gearing’ means and how both profits and losses are magnified.
Brexit dominates discussion
Commentary & Opinion, Market Economic
Markets will be dominated by the Brexit until the UK votes on Thursday. If the vote is in favour of leaving the EU, we expect the initial impact on markets to almost certainly be negative. However, there are several factors that might limit the downside:
Current nervousness should ease once the outcome is known, and recent volatility has been caused by this nervousness;
Australian Dollar being driven lower by China
Commentary & Opinion, Economic Market
The eyes of the world are focused on Greece. This week its’ people went to the polls to decide their financial future. It’s a tragic turn of events that has the potential to undermine confidence in Europe. But in my opinion China is a much bigger story. Indeed - much of the recent selloff in Australia is being driven by the correction in the mainland Chinese share market.
But first to Greece where the Greek referendum will have little immediate impact on the country’s situation. People still have access to limited cash. Bank’s cash reserves look like they’ll run out very soon.
Political leaders now go straight back to the negotiation table – this assumes the creditors will meet with Greece.
Australians refuse to part with cash
Commentary & Opinion, Economic Market
Employment in Australia is holding steady and wages are rising. Australians, however, are choosing to hang on to their hard-earned cash. Consumer spending has slowed during the past few months owing to warmer weather and the negative response to the Federal budget.
Basics of life insurance
Life Insurance, Life Insurance
We insure all sorts of things we think are important like our house or car but what could be more important than your life? James Dunn takes a keen look at Life Insurance and provides a clear view of why planning is all about putting your family first when making a decision about the right amount of cover.
Be savvy about tax
Benjamin Franklin was right: "In this world nothing can be said to be certain, except death and taxes.” That’s certainly true in investment, where any investment has tax implications. First of all in Australia, any income you receive from an investment may be added to your income, and taxed at your marginal tax rate, which is the rate of tax that applies to the income range into which your taxable income falls. Australia currently has four marginal tax rates, or five if you count nil as the tax rate on for low incomes below the tax threshold. So if you have interest from cash or bonds, dividends from shares, or rental income from a property, that is added to your assessable income and taxed at your marginal tax rate.
Bears grumble as markets decline
Commentary & Opinion, Economic Market
The bears have picked up the scent of the recent decline in equities and are starting to grumble about the potential for a new bear market. Since September, we’ve seen drops of 5%+ for the S&P500; 9%+ for the ASX200; and 9%+ for the Nikkei 225; but we think the bears are getting over excited and September’s drop is unlikely to mark the beginning of a new bear trend.
Bonds
A bond is issued by a government or company as a way of borrowing money. Investors buy the bonds, and receive an interest payment on the fixed dates, at the stated interest rate, or ‘coupon.’ The bond has a known maturity date, at which the investors are entitled to be repaid the money lent via the bond. It is possible that at maturity date the company or government cannot repay the bond or is unable to pay the coupons: .this is the main risk associated with owning a bond. Bonds can usually be bought and sold like shares, but if you sell or buy a bond before maturity it may have a different value than the initial amount loaned, which can give rise to a capital gain or loss.
Borrowing basics
Our presenter, Donna Sawyer, looks at the advantages and pitfalls of borrowing and how getting into debt is a lot easier than getting out of it. Your borrowing decision is not solely about what, why, and how much, timing can be as crucial a factor as well and as always don’t forget to read the fine print.
Borrowing to invest
DIY Investing, Stock Market DIY Investing
You can invest in the share market by borrowing money to buy more shares than you might afford. To many this might sound terrifying and they should avoid it but it’s really much the same concept as borrowing to buy a house. Learn what ‘gearing’ means and how both profits and losses are magnified.
Brexit dominates discussion
Commentary & Opinion, Market Economic
Markets will be dominated by the Brexit until the UK votes on Thursday. If the vote is in favour of leaving the EU, we expect the initial impact on markets to almost certainly be negative. However, there are several factors that might limit the downside:
Current nervousness should ease once the outcome is known, and recent volatility has been caused by this nervousness;