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24 March 2026
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by Carol Lye, Associate Portfolio Manager & Senior Research Analyst
Since its start, 2022 has been a volatile year for global bond yields. Inflation concerns and central banks seeking to play catch-up have been top of mind for investors, sending yields higher. German bunds broke above 0% on February 2; U.S. 10-Year Treasury bonds topped 2% on February 15. Japanese government bonds (JGBs) also have not been spared. Since mid-January, 10-year JGBs have risen alongside global bond yields, nearing the top of the Bank of Japan’s (BOJ) yield curve control (YCC) band target of 0.25%. The super-long, 30-year end of the JGB curve jumped close to 30 basis points (bps) to reach almost 1% in a span of two weeks. Even with the sharp increase in global uncertainty and geopolitical risks stemming from the conflict in Ukraine, JGB yields remain higher than at the start of the year...
A more rational taxation system that supports home ownership but discourages asset speculation could provide greater financial support to first home buyers.
The capital gains tax discount is under review, but debate should go beyond its size. Its original purpose, design flaws and distortions suggest Australia could adopt a better, more targeted approach.
One in five Australians die before retirement and most have not set up their super properly so their loved ones can benefit from all their hard work and savings.
An ageing Australia is shifting the superannuation system’s focus from accumulation to the lifecycle of retirement. While these pressures have been anticipated for decades, they are now converging at scale and driving widespread industry change.
The 20 years after Peter Costello left Treasury have been deemed wasted...by Peter Costello. The missed opportunities for Australia began long before.
The best way to deal with the incoming Division 296 tax on superannuation is likely doing nothing. Earnings will be taxed regardless of where the money sits, so here are some important considerations.
With the upcoming budget increasingly likely to include bold proposals to alter the tax code I’ve outlined three incremental steps with fewer unintended consequences.
The impact of the Iran War is far more than expensive petrol. Higher oil prices have secondary inflationary impacts that reverberate throughout the economy which could be bad news for Australians with mortgages.
Global Listed Infrastructure dividends are forecast to grow 5-6% p.a over the next two years. After a hiatus, share buybacks are back on the agenda and will play an integral role in shareholder returns.
Past oil shocks offer lessons for investors dealing with the fallout from the Iran War and the ongoing impact on inflation.
Former Australian Prime Minister, Paul Keating, once said "When you change the government, you change the country." We're about to see whether that holds true in Japan.
Central banks now hold more gold reserves than US Treasuries, signalling a shift in safe-haven asset strategy and portfolio diversification as geopolitical risks increase.
Historically economic progress is measured by GDP growth but there is an increasing body of work that explores quantitative measures of wellbeing.