Oliver’s insights – The super cycle bear market in bonds and the return of “bond vigilantes”

10 September

Key points Bond yields are being pushed higher by concerns about inflation, high public debt, rising corporate borrowing, rising Japanese bond yields and increasing economic uncertainty. This is part of a super cycle rise in bond yields that...[Read More]

Oliver’s insights – The Australian home price downturn deepened in August, with more to go

3 September

Key pointsThe slump in national average home prices continued in August with prices down 0.9% according to Cotality, their fifth monthly fall. The fall in July was revised down to -1.2%.Further falls are likely as we continue to expect another RBA...[Read More]

Compound interest and returns are an investor’s best friend

27 August

If there is “one thing” investors should know about investing, it’s the power of compound interest or returns. In the ever-rising obsession with short-term developments impacting investment markets around the economy, interest rates, profits,...[Read More]

Oliver’s Insights – Compound interest and returns are an investor’s best friend

21 August

Key pointsCompound interest is an investor’s best friend but can be a borrower’s worst nightmare.The higher the return, the earlier and bigger the investment contribution and the longer the period the more it works.To make the most of it, ensure...[Read More]

Oliver’s insights – Why investors need to treat forecasts with caution

20 August

Key pointsThe increasing noise around investing – associated with a messier economic and geopolitical backdrop along with an explosion in information flow and the rise of social media – is arguably accentuating a desire for investment experts,...[Read More]

Oliver’s Insights – The RBA cuts for the third time – expect a further gradual easing to 2.85%

14 August

Key pointsThe RBA cut its cash rate by 0.25% taking it to 3.6%. This is the third rate cut in this easing cycle.The RBA sees inflation running around target but has revised its growth forecasts down again. Its forecasts assume that the cash rate...[Read More]

Oliver’s Insights – Poor Australian productivity – why all the fuss? And what to do about it?

31 July

Key pointsThe last decade has seen productivity stagnate in Australia. This has curtailed growth in living standards and real wages.Policies to boost productivity include: deregulation; more housing supply; a cap on public spending; and tax...[Read More]

Oliver’s insights – Another hawkish RBA hold at 4.35% – expect one more hike later this year

13 August

Key pointsThe RBA left the cash rate on hold at 4.35% for the second meeting in a row. Some softer than expected readings for underlying inflation, jobs and home prices allowed it to remain in wait and see mode as it “assesses” the impact of the...[Read More]