By Shane Oliver, Head of Investment Strategy & Chief Economist from Oliver’s Insights, AMP Capital, Edition 7 2016 Key points There is a seemingly long list of global political issues that could affect investors this year: the US presidential election, a vote on Brexit, the rise of populism in Europe, tensions in the South China Sea, tensions between Saudi Arabia... Read more
By Shane Oliver, Head of Investment Strategy & Chief Economist from Oliver’s Insights, AMP Capital, Edition 6 2016 Key points Historically, bear markets in Australian shares have seen an average fall of 33% over 18 months. However, this masks a huge range. 65% of bear markets have seen gains over the 12 months following an initial 20% decline in share... Read more
By Shane Oliver, Head of Investment Strategy & Chief Economist from Oliver’s Insights, AMP Capital, Edition 4 2016 Key points Assets with decent and sustainable yields are attractive in an environment of return volatility as they provide greater return certainty. Bank term deposit rates have collapsed, so it makes sense to continue to look elsewhere for income. Dividends tend to... Read more
By Shane Oliver, Head of Investment Strategy & Chief Economist from Oliver’s Insights, AMP Capital, Edition 3 2016 Key points Oil prices are down more than 70% from their levels two years ago driven by a combination of a surge in supply relative to demand and a rise in the value of the $US. Further weakness down to $US20/barrel is... Read more
By Shane Oliver, Head of Investment Strategy & Chief Economist from Oliver’s Insights, AMP Capital, Edition 1 2016 Key points: Financial markets have started the year on a rough note as last year’s worries about China and global growth in the face of US monetary tightening continue. This could drive more short term weakness. However, in the absence of US/global... Read more
The amount of Age Pension you are entitled to is determined by applying an income test and an assets test. It is the lower result of the two tests which determines the amount, if any, of Age Pension that you will recieve. If you have an account-based pension it will be included in the income test for the Age Pension,... Read more
Under ordinary circumstances the sale of a property that you purchased after 20 September 1985 would attract Capital Gains Tax (CGT). Any gain made on the sale is included in your assessable income in that financial year. The gain from the sale of a CGT asset can be reduced by 50% when you have held the asset for more than... Read more
By Shane Oliver, Head of Investment Strategy & Chief Economist from Oliver’s Insights, AMP Capital, Edition 41 2015 Key points: 2015 has been a messy year for investors as worries about China, emerging countries and the Fed caused volatility and uneven returns across asset classes. Australian shares continued to underperform. 2016 is likely to see continued okay but uneven global... Read more
There is some speculation that the Turnbull government will consider some tax reform for superannuation. Whilst we wait to see what super changes actually occur in the coming months or years, it is important to remain confident in the tax advantages of investing your wealth in the superannuation environment. Helping our clients plan for the future every day, we are... Read more
By Shane Oliver, Head of Investment Strategy & Chief Economist from Oliver’s Insights, AMP Capital, Edition 40 2015 Key points: Worries about the Fed’s first interest rate hike, which is now likely to be in December, may cause more volatility in share markets in the near term. However, there are several reasons not to be too concerned about the Fed:... Read more