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21 May 2025
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Australia's housing prices impact on other investments, Sydney's housing bubble, the reason for average returns from index funds, facts for bond investors, and thinking about retirement planning.
Australians are heavily invested in residential property and the impact of a property crash is obvious for those assets. But the consequences for many other investments should be considered.
Sydney house prices were up 14% in the year to March 2015. What's making the market so strong, how much longer can the growth persist and will it ultimately end in tears? Unfortunately, there are no simple answers.
The promise of diversification, low costs and access to overseas markets are boosting the popularity of all types of index funds, but broadly diversified cap-weighted equity index funds can only promise ‘average’ returns.
Low interest rates have left many income-oriented investors scrambling for yield. If interest rates rise, will individual bonds, dividend paying stocks or cash be safer than the core bond funds so often recommended?
Despite the publicity about long life expectancy, research on Australian retirement highlights a lack of planning, and most people do not determine their own retirement date.
Labor has announced a $2.3 billion Cheaper Home Batteries Program, aimed at slashing the cost of home batteries. The goal is to turbocharge battery uptake, though practical difficulties may prevent that happening.
The famed investor says the rapid switch from globalisation to trade wars is the biggest upheaval in the investing environment since World War Two. And a new world requires a different investment approach.
The boss of Australia’s fourth largest super fund by assets, UniSuper’s John Pearce, says Trump has declared an economic war and he’ll be reducing his US stock exposure over time. Should you follow suit?
Every crisis throws up opportunities. Here are ideas to capitalise on this one, including ‘overbalancing’ your portfolio in stocks, buying heavily discounted LICs, and cherry picking bombed out sectors like oil and gas.
While many chase high yields, true investment power lies in companies that steadily grow dividends. This strategy, rooted in patience and discipline, quietly compounds wealth and anchors investors through market turbulence.
Behind market volatility and tariff threats lies a deeper strategy. Trump’s real goal isn’t trade reform but managing America's massive debts, preserving bond market confidence, and preparing for potential QE.