FinSec Post Archives | Page 32 of 33

Weekly Market Update – 28th March 2014

Investment markets and key developments over the past week The past week has seen somewhat messy and mixed trading in share markets. Economic data has been mostly okay, there are hopes for some sort of stimulus in China and there has been no further escalation regarding Ukraine. While US shares fell -0.5%, shares gained +2.2% in Europe, +3.3% in Japan and +0.5% in Australia. Bonds rallied slightly, partly helped by a relaxation of fears that US Federal Reserve (Fed) tightening was coming [...]

denise.henly2014-10-13T03:27:44+10:30March 31st, 2014|FinSec Post, Investment, Market Update|

Happiness: the new measurement of economic success

In Australia, as with most western cultures, we often use Gross Domestic Product (GDP) to measure our success, however, there is another measurement which is gaining traction for more accurately depicting a country’s worth. It’s called the Gross National Happiness Index (GNH) and it implies that development should take a holistic approach to the notion of progress and give equal importance to the non-economic aspects of society. Looking at economic output alone to determine a nation’s success only gives a crude [...]

denise.henly2014-10-13T03:27:56+10:30March 31st, 2014|FinSec Post, More than just Finance, The FinSec View|

NO MORE public sector pension transfers from 2015

On Wednesday 19th March the Chancellor of the Exchequer – George Osborne unveiled the most radical reformation of the UK pension regime, dwarfing the A-day changes announced in 2006. Changes, likely to be effective in April 2015, will ban transfers from public sector final salary schemes and may also be extended to include private sector final salary schemes. The ban will prevent transfers to Australia from these schemes, leaving members with less than 12 months to take action. Transferring may or may [...]

denise.henly2014-10-13T03:28:10+10:30March 27th, 2014|FinSec Post, UK Pension Transfers|

Weekly Market Update – 21st March 2014

Investment markets and key developments over the past week The past week has seen worries about Ukraine fade but concerns the United States Federal Reserve (Fed) will raise rates earlier than expected has taken centre stage. This saw bond yields push higher, but despite a few gyrations most equity markets rose helped by a combination of relief regarding Ukraine, better economic data and European agreement on a banking union. Shares in the US rose +1.4%, Eurozone shares gained +2.6%, Chinese shares rose [...]

denise.henly2014-10-13T03:28:26+10:30March 24th, 2014|FinSec Post, Market Update|

Weekly Market Update – 17th March 2014

Investment markets and key developments over the past week The past week saw worries about Chinese economic growth and tensions regarding Ukraine ahead of the referendum in Crimea combine to push shares and industrial commodity prices sharply lower. At the same time, bonds benefited from safe-haven demand. Over the week US shares fell 2%, Eurozone shares fell 3.1%, Japanese shares fell 6.2%, Chinese shares fell 2.6% and Australian shares fell 2.4%. Oddly though, the normally China-sensitive Australian dollar held up well, [...]

denise.henly2014-03-18T01:12:09+10:30March 18th, 2014|FinSec Post, Market Update|

Weekly Market Update – 07 March 2014

Investment markets and key developments over the past week While tensions regarding Ukraine saw shares dip and safe haven assets like bonds and gold rally early in the week, this reversed as Ukraine tensions receded somewhat and markets returned to focussing on mostly favourable economic data. Most markets gained with US shares up +1.0%, making new record highs, and Australian shares rising +1.1% to their highest since June 2008. While Eurozone shares fell -1.3%, Japanese shares gained +2.9%. The return of confidence [...]

denise.henly2014-03-12T23:45:13+10:30March 11th, 2014|FinSec Post, Market Update|

Weekly Market Update – 28th February 2014

Investment markets and key developments over the past week It’s been a somewhat mixed week for global and Australian shares as indexes flirt with post-global financial crisis highs and the situation regarding Ukraine remains uncertain. Economic data continues to be rather confusing and US Federal Reserve (Fed) Chair Janet Yellen left the door open for a pause in slowing its monetary stimulus if needed. US shares rose +1.3% with the S&P 500 making a new record closing high and Eurozone shares [...]

denise.henly2014-03-04T01:09:43+10:30February 28th, 2014|FinSec Post, Market Update|

Weekly Market Update – 21st February 2014

Investment markets and key developments over the past week Global shares had a mixed week as investors digested the 5% or so rebound since early February amidst weather-affected US data, signs the US Federal Reserve (the Fed) will continue tapering its monetary stimulus, another fall in a Chinese manufacturing conditions Purchasing Managers’ Index (PMI) and as turmoil continued in the Ukraine and Thailand providing a reminder that issues remain in the emerging world. While US and Chinese shares fell -0.1%, Eurozone shares [...]

denise.henly2014-03-03T05:22:08+10:30February 21st, 2014|FinSec Post, Market Update|

’10 x Income’ is Not Enough

Rice Warner December 3, 2013 The widely-used life insurance equation of ‘10 x annual earnings’ is not enough to secure a family’s long-term lifestyle, the latest underinsurance research from Rice Warner has revealed. The consulting firm has released its annual ‘Underinsurance in Australia’ report, which found that in order for a family’s standard of living to be maintained in full, life insurance cover of an amount equal to 15 years’ income is required. Similarly, TPD cover equivalent to 15 years’ annual [...]

denise.henly2014-05-01T04:28:35+09:30December 17th, 2013|FinSec Post, Insurance, Pre-Retirement Planning|

Super is changing – what this means for you

Superannuation is changing – so if you are contributing to your super or even have a dormant super balance, now is a great time to think about your super savings. The Government Stronger Super changes are designed to make super simpler and more transparent, and to help you maximise your retirement income. What is MySuper? Referred to as a 'default' investment option - MySuper is a simple super offering that will become your new investment option if you haven't actively chosen [...]

denise.henly2014-05-01T04:16:31+09:30December 17th, 2013|FinSec Post, Superannuation|