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9 August 2025

Home / Consumer Sentiment

Consumer Sentiment

1-12 out of 17 results.

Global consumer and corporate resilience surprises everyone

Despite recession predictions, consumer activity and corporate earnings are holding up well. Global long-term interest rates probably peaked last October, and there are signs of corporate earnings re-acceleration.

Not so plastic fantastic: solving the single-use pandemic

At least 8 million tonnes of plastics leak into the ocean each year, equivalent to one garbage truck every minute. This is expected to double by 2030. Such pollution brings risks and opportunities for many companies.

After 30 years of investing, I prefer to skip this party

Eventually, prices become so extreme they bear no relationship to reality, and a bubble forms. I believe we are there today, not for all stocks but for many in the technology space.

What will stop the market returning to its highs?

Despite signs of optimism, market valuations are stretched and recovery is fuelled by government support. Some companies are doing well but stimulus cannot continue to prop up consumers for too long.

Investor sentiment can be highly misleading

Statistics measuring investor sentiment are often flawed but the market's reaction to such statistics is even more misguided. It's likely that shares will be sold more than justified when rates rise.

Fear factor should start the hunting season

The current level of fear in the market could be signalling a downturn or even another GFC. Investors should remember the lessons from the last crisis, and be in a position to take advantage of the next one.

Animal spirits dormant except for coffee and food

Current economic policy is failing to revive the corporate sector's animal spirits, as spending by consumers remains weak except for a few sectors like food, cafes and restaurants.

There’s too much confidence in confidence surveys

Confidence is important but can be misleading in terms of what is actually going on. Our emotions, which make us human, need to be balanced by facts, especially when we think times are grim.

Roy Morgan Research places SMSFs first for satisfaction

It's not surprising that research shows high levels of satisfaction for self managed portfolios, as investors are effectively rating themselves. Regardless of the reason, few SMSFs will return to an institutional fund.

'FOMO' is driving residential property prices, not yields

Like any investment, residential property must be bought at the right price and the right time, not based on the need to get into the market quickly due to the Fear Of Missing Out. And the costs will be higher than expected.

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Raising the GST to 15%

Treasurer Jim Chalmers aims to tackle tax reform but faces challenges. Previous reviews struggled due to political sensitivities, highlighting the need for comprehensive and politically feasible change.

100 Aussies: seven charts on who earns, pays, and owns

The Labor government is talking up tax reform to lift Australia’s ailing economic growth. Before any changes are made, it’s important to know who pays tax, who owns assets, and how much people have in their super for retirement.

Here's what should replace the $3 million super tax

With Div. 296 looming, is there a smarter way to tax superannuation? This proposes a fairer, income-linked alternative that respects compounding, ensures predictability, and avoids taxing unrealised capital gains. 

9 winning investment strategies

There are many ways to invest in stocks, but some strategies are more effective than others. Here are nine tried and tested investment approaches - choosing one of these can improve your chances of reaching your financial goals.

Chinese steel - building a Sydney Harbour Bridge every 10 minutes

China's steel production, equivalent to building one Sydney Harbour Bridge every 10 minutes, has driven Australia's economic growth. With China's slowdown, what does this mean for Australia's economy and investments?

With markets near record highs, here's what you should do with your portfolio

Markets have weathered geopolitical turmoil, hitting near record highs. Investors face tough decisions on valuations, asset concentration, and strategic portfolio rebalancing for risk control and future returns.

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