3 local solutions to replace coal
As the world shifts to renewable energy, helping the communities that have depended on fossil fuels for jobs is becoming ever more pressing. The 2015 Paris Agreement notes the imperative of a “just transition” for affected workforces, with “the creation of decent work and quality jobs” to replace those lost. Trade unionists have been arguing…
Jobs growth builds case for a rate hike
The better-than-expected job print reported yesterday was not a surprise. The huge fiscal and monetary nuclear bombs thrown at the economy during consecutive lockdowns have done their job. In fact, they’ve probably been too effective in that we now have a problem that things are improving much quicker than expected. Australia’s record-low unemployment is not…
Statewide Superannuation to pay $4 million penalty
The Federal Court has imposed combined penalties of $4 million on Statewide Superannuation Pty Ltd (Statewide) for providing members with misleading information regarding their insurance and failing to breach report the issue to ASIC in the time required by law. ASIC Deputy Chair Sarah Court said, ‘Statewide provided misleading communication to thousands of its members,…
Shake it off: Recovery expected, but risks remain
Against a backdrop of the ongoing pandemic, tighter regulation in China, and the prospect of reduced policy support from global central banks, 2021 has not been without its risks. However, as we look to the new year, we see opportunities for careful, bottom-up stock pickers in a wide range of industries across Asia. Fidelity’s Matthew…
Outlook 2022: Sustainable investment
ESG (environment, social governance) investing has entered the mainstream. According to analysis by Bloomberg, ESG assets soared to an unprecedented $37.8 trillion by the end of 2021 and are predicted to grow to $53 trillion by 2025, which would be a third of all global assets under management. This rise is mirrored by a growing…
Are NFTs an overblown speculative bubble?
Comedian Robin Williams once called cocaine “God’s way of telling you you are making too much money”. This role may now have been overtaken by non-fungible tokens, the blockchain-based means to claim unique ownership of easily copied digital assets. The latest NFT mania involves fantastic amounts of money being paid for “Bored Apes”, 10,000 avatars…
CommSec Daily Download Friday 7 January 2022
S&P/ASX 200 SPI futures are pointing up despite a continued sell-off in the US markets. Today’s Announcements: James Hardie Industries (JHX) terminates CEO, provides upgrade in guidance | Magellan Financial Group (MFG) releases funds under management update | West African Resources releases update ahead of record December quarter | Pinnacle Investment Management (PNI) discloses fees…
CommSec Daily Download Thursday 6 January 2022
S&P/ASX 200 SPI futures are pointing down, following a sharp sell-off in US markets. Today’s Announcements: Insurance Australia Group (IAG) finalises reinsurance program | Nickel Mines (NIC) is granted tax relief from the Indonesian Ministry of Finance | SPI futures indicate a negative start after the Nasdaq sees its biggest one day loss since February….
Assets to consider trimming in the year ahead
While we have a positive outlook on 2022, investors may want to revisit exposure to these three areas. Markets in a minute Powell keeps his options open. This week, the Federal Reserve officially made its pivot from maximum support for the economy to increased flexibility to fight inflation. There are three takeaways that illustrate this…
Steering a steady course
Hopes that the pandemic had peaked were dashed in November with the emergence of the Omicron strain. With markets also wary of inflation, we will focus on managing capital volatility in the short term – while looking for opportunities to deploy cash. Following the very dramatic moves late in October, fixed income markets were more…
