The escalating likelihood of the United States engaging militarily in the Israel-Iran conflict has raised alarm among investors, potentially leading to significant market volatility. This concern was highlighted by the global financial advisory firm, deVere Group, as tensions heighten in the Middle East. - read more
The recent US military attack on Iranian nuclear facilities has raised expectations of a significant oil price spike as global markets prepare to resume trading. Announced by former President Donald Trump, the attack marks an increased US involvement in the Middle East, which analysts believe could lead to heightened volatility across financial markets. - read more
US President Donald Trump is once again contemplating the dismissal of Federal Reserve Chair Jerome Powell, whom he has criticized for not lowering interest rates. Trump expressed his dissatisfaction with Powell's decisions in a Truth Social post, suggesting he might change his mind about firing him. Despite acknowledging that his strong criticisms make Powell's task challenging, Trump remains focused on his agenda for reduced rates, especially with Powell's term set to end in May 2026. - read more
The Australian Prudential Regulation Authority (APRA) has released pivotal updates to the Prudential Practice Guide APG 223 and Reporting Standard ARS 223.0, focusing on how Authorised Deposit-taking Institutions (ADIs) should integrate Higher Education Loan Program (HELP) debt into home loan evaluations. The changes are aimed at enhancing regulatory clarity and acknowledging the individual circumstances of borrowers, including the nuances of their HELP debts, without compromising prudent lending practices. - read more
In the face of ongoing economic turmoil encompassing inflation, market volatility, and other financial stresses, a global survey from Natixis Investment Managers, conducted by CoreData Research, has highlighted a growing trend: investors are increasingly relying on their financial advisers. With 91 per cent of surveyed investors expressing trust in their financial advisers for investment decisions, this highlights an unmistakable shift amidst financial uncertainty. - read more
Recent data from the 2025 Central Banks Gold Reserve Survey indicates a renewed focus on gold among the world's central banks. As these financial institutions adapt to the changing economic landscape, their strategies increasingly involve boosting their gold reserves. - read more
Investment in private credit is not a contemporary innovation; its roots trace back to ancient times. The evolution of direct lending, particularly in the UK, Europe, and the US, intensified across the 18th to the 20th centuries, serving as a crucial alternative during frequent banking crises. The current surge in private lending originated in the 1990s amidst burgeoning internet startups, and was further propelled by tighter banking regulations and historically low interest rates post the Global Financial Crisis. - read more
The Australian Financial Complaints Authority (AFCA) finds itself inadvertently entangled in sophisticated scamming operations. The Stockbrokers and Investment Advisers Association (SIAA) has identified a tactic whereby fraudsters use AFCA's complaint system to lend credibility to their scams by taking over victims' accounts and falsely lodging complaints. - read more
The Sydney property market showed signs of revival as the latest auction results indicated a resurgence in buyer enthusiasm. Last weekend, the city recorded a preliminary auction clearance rate of 70.5%, marking a notable rebound from the previous week's low of 58.1%. The recent performance also represents Sydney's first clearance rate above 70% in three weeks and only the second instance in the past thirteen weeks. - read more
The Australian commercial real estate debt market is garnering attention from international investors, with the Canada Pension Plan Investment Board (CPP Investments) making significant inroads. In partnership with Nuveen, a global asset manager, a substantial investment strategy targeting Australian real estate debt has closed its second round. The total commitment exceeded $650 million, with CPP Investments contributing $300 million through their CPPIB Credit Investments Inc. - read more
The Australian Securities and Investments Commission (ASIC) has issued warnings to 18 social media influencers actively promoting high-risk financial products without the necessary licence. The move is part of a broader initiative to curb unlicensed financial advice in the online sphere, where influencers often lure young audiences with glamorous lifestyles while dispensing questionable investment tips. ASIC has identified these so-called 'finfluencers' as operating in breech of the Corporations Act by promoting complex financial products like derivatives without proper authorisation. - read more
The Australian Securities and Investments Commission (ASIC) has responded to stakeholder feedback by initiating a two-year trial of a fast-track process for Initial Public Offerings (IPOs). This initiative aims to address the decline in Australian IPOs and the number of public companies by making the IPO process more efficient. - read more
Recent findings from EY's Global Wealth Research report highlight a significant opportunity for financial advisers in Australia as a large-scale intergenerational wealth transfer looms. With only 35% of Australians planning to retain their inherited assets in their existing forms, there is a noticeable shift towards diversification, with 51% intending to spread their investments across various asset classes. This trend opens the door for advisers to engage deeply with new inheritors, ensuring client retention across generations. - read more
The Reserve Bank of Australia (RBA) is widely expected to cut the official cash rate (OCR) at its upcoming July meeting. According to Westpac, the probability of this decision has reached an overwhelming 97% in financial markets. - read more
Australia's economic landscape faces significant challenges, with stagnating GDP growth and a lack of capital investment occupancy at the forefront. Amidst these difficulties, the Reserve Bank of Australia (RBA) is presented with room to further reduce interest rates, potentially even venturing below zero. However, such a move is expected to offer only temporary relief rather than addressing the core issues of the economy. - read more
The Buy Now, Pay Later (BNPL) sector in Australia is on the brink of significant transformation as new regulatory measures come into effect, equating BNPL services with traditional credit products like credit cards. Effective from June 10, 2025, all key players in the BNPL market, including Afterpay, Zip, and Humm, along with low-cost credit contracts, will be required to operate under stringent regulatory standards established by the Albanese government. - read more
This week, anticipation surrounds the release of updated consumer sentiment data as businesses and consumers feel the squeeze from ongoing global trade tensions. The ongoing tariff disputes initiated by former President Donald Trump have contributed significantly to economic unease, dampening hopes for recovery in 2025. - read more
Australia's financial sector is yet again under the spotlight as Westpac finds itself embroiled in another scandal involving irresponsible lending practices. The bank's RAMS home loans subsidiary faces serious allegations by the Australian Securities and Investments Commission (ASIC) regarding improper loan approvals. - read more
Australians continue to exhibit cautious spending behaviours, as evidenced by a modest uptick in expenditure during April, notwithstanding consecutive long weekends and favourable economic conditions. Recent data from the Australian Bureau of Statistics (ABS) illustrates a 0.1% increase in household spending, following declines and tepid growth in the preceding months. - read more
The Star Casino is embroiled in legal difficulties after allegations emerged in a Federal Court involving their facilitation of risky financial transactions, including offering massive gambling credits to individuals known for money laundering. This follows financial watchdog AUSTRAC's pursuit of legal action against the casino. - read more
The Australian Securities and Investments Commission (ASIC) is fast-tracking its oversight of the private credit market, focusing on retail distribution amidst potential risks in the asset class. ASIC Commissioner Simone Constant disclosed that the regulator is prioritising this initiative in response to anticipated failures within the sector, as outlined in a discussion paper released earlier this year. - read more
The Australian Bureau of Statistics (ABS) recently highlighted the substantial contribution of international students to the economy, estimating education exports to be valued at $51 billion for the 2023-24 fiscal year. This figure underscores the economic significance of Australia's educational sector, as calculated by combining average spending estimates from Tourism Research Australia with students’ total course fee expenditures. - read more
Virgin Australia is poised to make a significant return to the Australian Securities Exchange (ASX) through an initial public offering (IPO) aimed at raising $685 million. Bain Capital, the US private equity firm that currently owns a substantial portion of the airline, is set to sell 30% of its stake at $2.90 a share. This sale values Virgin Australia at just over $2.3 billion, compared to rival Qantas, whose shares were trading at $10.70. - read more
Amidst ongoing economic challenges, a recent report from Colonial First State (CFS) highlights the urgent call for accessible financial advice in Australia. Surveying 2,250 Australians, CFS discovered that 82% of respondents believe financial guidance should be available to everyone. - read more
The Reserve Bank of Australia (RBA) is under the spotlight as financial markets largely anticipate a 70% probability of a rate cut during its next meeting in July. This potential adjustment, coupled with further cuts expected later in 2025, could see the official cash rate (OCR) drop to 3.10% by year-end. - read more
Investors in Australian Real Estate Investment Trusts (A-REITs) could witness a favourable shift in stock performance this year, thanks to declining inflation and interest rates rejuvenating the property market. This is according to Amy Pham, a portfolio manager with Pengana’s High Conviction Property Securities Fund, who anticipates A-REIT earnings to rise between 3% and 5% throughout the current calendar year. - read more
As Australians increasingly form new relationships in their later years, it is becoming crucial for these couples to engage in candid financial conversations. Many bring considerable assets into these relationships, including property and superannuation savings, which can be at risk without transparent discussions. Financial planner Trudy Jenkin from NGS Super emphasises that while these talks may not be romantic, they are vital for building a strong foundation and avoiding future financial disputes. - read more
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When you're on the journey to owning your dream home, securing the right home loan is as critical as choosing the perfect location. The benefits of using online home loan calculators can't be overstated, as they wield the power to illuminate the murky depths of mortgage rates, terms, and payments with surprising precision. - read more
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A credit rating is essentially a numerical representation of your financial trustworthiness. It's like a report card for your creditworthiness, where higher scores indicate better financial habits. Lenders and financial institutions scrutinize this score when you apply for credit, serving as a primary factor in approving or denying loan applications. - read more
Personal loans are a type of financing option that individuals can use to fund various personal expenses. Unlike mortgages or car loans, they aren't earmarked for a specific purpose, giving borrowers more flexibility in how they use the funds. These loans are usually unsecured, which means you don’t have to provide collateral to borrow money. - read more
