The number one concern dominating markets has moved from inflation to growth in recent weeks. Inflation remains stubbornly high caused by temporary supply constraints due to Chinese COVID restrictions, weather events, and the Russia-Ukraine war. The market reaction has been particularly severe because of the expectation that central banks would continue to raise interest rates… [Read More]
Budget 2022 – What’s in it for you?
Broadly, the Budget is pre-empting a bad economy in the lead up to the next proper budget. GDP has shrunk by a 1/4% to 3.25% this FY, and will fall to 1.5% in 2023/24. On top of this, wage growth is estimated at 2.6%, while inflation is expected to rise to 7.75% in the December… [Read More]
Protecting Yourself from Cyber Criminals
The recent data breach from Optus has put the security of personal information at the forefront of everyone’s mind. While anyone who has been a customer of Optus is rightly concerned, the reality is that data breaches are not uncommon, and there are many other methods cyber criminals use to steal personal information for their… [Read More]
June Quarter Update – The Recession we need to have?
This year we have seen inflation at 50-year highs, unemployment at 50-year lows, soaring oil/petrol prices like the 1970s ‘oil shocks’, sudden interest rate hikes, big price falls in share markets, losses on so-called ‘risk-free’ government bonds, the collapse of crypto markets, ‘one in 100-year’ floods every few months in Australia, heatwaves in Europe, new… [Read More]
March Quarter Update – War, Inflation & Rising Interest Rates
The Government’s pre-election budget was brought down in early April. Thankfully, there were no significant changes to the rules around superannuation and family structures and this appears to be the commitment coming from both the major parties in the run up to the Federal election. The only announcement of note was the extension of the… [Read More]
The Importance of General & Enduring Powers of Attorneys
Whilst the number of SMSF’s and Members continue to grow each year little attention is given to ensuring that Members have adequate General and Enduring Powers of Attorney (PoA) in place. Yet having adequate General & Enduring POA’s is vital to ensuring the Member’s affairs are properly managed and that their Fund continues to operate… [Read More]