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Ashley Owen

Australia’s government debt and its ‘lazy balance sheet’

Despite the wide-spread perception that Australia’s debt position is unsustainable, it’s low in an historical sense and when compared to national income. We could be making more use of it.

Australian bond yields and inflation

Current bond yields and prices haven’t been seen in Australia since the 1890s and 1930s depressions. The market is being supported by foreign buyers and central bank liquidity.

Who wins? Australians investing in US shares

In part 2 of Who Wins? we look at an Australian investor holding US shares compared with an investment in the local market, plus the relationship between inflation and exchange rates.

Who wins? Australia versus US in local shares

A study of Australia's stock market returns for Australian investors versus the returns from the US stock market for US investors uncovers some interesting trends. Where do the returns come from in each country?

Impact of QE on markets opposite of expected

October 2014 marks the end of the US Federal Reserve’s monetary policy it called ‘quantitative easing’. The Fed’s aim was to create inflation, increase bank lending and depress the US dollar to help exporters. Did it work?

Policy pincers in Australia and the US

Unemployment and inflation seem to be heading in different directions in Australia and the United States, but the outcomes for interest rates and equity markets might be the same.

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Investment strategies

How to choose a good fund manager

Despite the rise of passive investing, Australia has a number of top shelf fund managers who have consistently outperformed indices over the long-term. This looks at how to identify the best active funds for your portfolio.

Property

Key factors behind the housing supply crisis

Australia’s housing supply is falling far short of demand, driving up prices and rents. With approvals down, costs up, and planning delays rampant, the next generation may not forget - or forgive - this crisis. 

Economy

Electricity transmission is Australia's next problem

Australia’s energy transition will take decades to complete because new renewable generating capacity in the far-flung locations will require transmission capacity to be added. And we're well behind schedule on this.

Planning

Family trusts and relationship breakdowns

Trusts offer flexibility and asset protection, but in relationship breakdowns, courts can 'look through' them. Understanding control, purpose, and asset origins is key to preserving trust benefits in family law disputes.

Property

Selling your holiday home? You may be able to pay less tax.

Selling your holiday home can make a lot of sense, but it can also lead to a big tax bill. Fortunately, there are strategies that investors can use to boost their retirement balance and cut their capital gains liability.

Why it's time to revisit the case for non-US stocks

History shows that global equity returns tend to be cyclical and that outperformance between regions can flip. After years of underperformance, there are growing reasons to add non-US equities to a diversified portfolio today.

Economy

Should America follow Australia with a sovereign wealth fund?

While appointing a seasoned banker to lead a US sovereign wealth fund sounds promising, the plan itself could expose the country to massive risks, market distortions, and dangerous expansions of presidential power. 

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