market-watch-tag
Oliver’s insights – The Australian home price downturn deepened in August, with more to go
3 September
Key points The slump in national average home prices continued in August with prices down 0.9% according to Cotality, their fifth monthly fall. The fall in July was revised down to -1.2%. Further falls are likely as we continue to expect another...[Read More]
Investment markets and key developments – Weekly market update – 28/08/2026
3 September
Sharemarkets generally pushed higher this week on further signs of a progress in oil shipments through the Strait of Hormuz, more blockbuster US tech earnings, continued solid US economic data, relatively unchanged bond yields and signs that US...[Read More]
Investment markets and key developments – Weekly market update 21/08/2026
27 August
After record highs in US and European shares a week ago, global shares pulled back in the last week reflecting concerns about rising bond yields, not helped by a further rise in oil prices and some continuing concerns about chip makers. Despite a...[Read More]
Oliver’s Insights – Compound interest and returns are an investor’s best friend
21 August
Key pointsCompound interest is an investor’s best friend but can be a borrower’s worst nightmare.The higher the return, the earlier and bigger the investment contribution and the longer the period the more it works.To make the most of it, ensure...[Read More]
Oliver’s insights – Why investors need to treat forecasts with caution
20 August
Key points The increasing noise around investing – associated with a messier economic and geopolitical backdrop along with an explosion in information flow and the rise of social media – is arguably accentuating a desire for investment...[Read More]
Investment markets and key developments – Weekly market update – 14/08/2026
20 August
Global share markets mostly rose over the last week helped by good earnings results and some moderation in expectations for Fed rate hikes. For the week US shares rose 0.4% and Eurozone shares rose 0.3% with both making new record highs, and...[Read More]
Oliver’s Insights – The RBA cuts for the third time – expect a further gradual easing to 2.85%
14 August
Key pointsThe RBA cut its cash rate by 0.25% taking it to 3.6%. This is the third rate cut in this easing cycle.The RBA sees inflation running around target but has revised its growth forecasts down again. Its forecasts assume that the cash rate...[Read More]
Oliver’s Insights – Poor Australian productivity – why all the fuss? And what to do about it?
31 July
Key pointsThe last decade has seen productivity stagnate in Australia. This has curtailed growth in living standards and real wages.Policies to boost productivity include: deregulation; more housing supply; a cap on public spending; and tax...[Read More]
Oliver’s insights – Another hawkish RBA hold at 4.35% – expect one more hike later this year
13 August
Key points The RBA left the cash rate on hold at 4.35% for the second meeting in a row. Some softer than expected readings for underlying inflation, jobs and home prices allowed it to remain in wait and see mode as it “assesses” the impact of...[Read More]
Investment markets and key developments – Weekly market update – 07/08/2026
12 August
Global shares had another ripper week with major share markets reaching new all-time highs, before retracing slightly on Thursday as the Iran “deal” seems further away than previously thought. US shares rose 3.6% over the week, with...[Read More]