Household wealth rose for the third straight quarter. Yes, it is up 2.6 per cent ($379 billion) in the June quarter of 2023, according to the latest figures released by the Australian Bureau of Statistics (ABS). Dr Mish Tan, ABS head of finance statistics, said: “Household wealth has grown alongside increasing house prices this year….
By the end of 2023, the world economy is expected to have a gross domestic product (GDP) of $105 trillion, or $5 trillion higher than the year before, according to the latest International Monetary Fund (IMF) projections from its 2023 World Economic Outlook report. In nominal terms, that’s a 5.3% increase in global GDP. In inflation-adjusted terms,…
Without a doubt, self-confidence is one of the most important traits that most people want to possess. When people from all generations were asked which is the biggest issue that humans face on a daily basis, the answer was obviously “self-confidence”. I’ll explain why this might be obvious: Self-confidence is linked to so many other…
Have you ever had a strong opinion (belief) about investment markets that was subsequently proven to be incorrect? A recent example was when many people predicted borrowers would be forced to sell their properties due to the Covid lockdowns and the market would crash. This outcome now seems unlikely. It is my view that a…
As expected by markets, the monthly inflation indicator came in at 5.2 per cent for the year to August. This was an increase from the very sharp drop to 4.9 per cent last month but below the 5.4 per cent recorded in June. The increase was mainly driven by rising fuel prices, driven more so…
When it comes to property investment you’ll often hear two conflicting philosophies advocated. Some suggest you should invest in property to achieve positive cash flow – that’s when rental returns are higher than your mortgage repayments and expenses leaving money in your pocket each month. Others suggest you should invest for capital growth looking for…
Imagine you’re standing on the doorstep of your next potential investment. The façade looks great, and the price seems right, but what’s lurking beneath? What questions should you be asking to ensure this property doesn’t just look good, but will also deliver the returns you’re after? Whether it’s your first investment or your fiftieth, the…
The Spring selling season has arrived. Will this now bring good news for buyers who have been faced with limited options for much of this year? Well, according to PropTrack’s Senior Economist, Eleanor Creagh, the choice has improved significantly in the major capitals, with buyers benefiting from the rush of properties hitting the market. She…
Financial stress is affecting us in many different ways. Some people are struggling to pay bills, feed the family, or maintain a place to live. Others are meeting their basic needs but are dipping into their savings for extras. Financial stress is increasing and, understandably, is causing some distress. In recent months, Lifeline has seen…
As Australia’s housing affordability crisis worsens, governments are spending more on housing. Victoria’s Andrews government has announced a suite of reforms (such as boosting social housing and making planning processes faster) in an effort to get 800,000 extra homes in Victoria over the next decade. Federally, the Albanese government’s A$10 billion Housing Australia Future Fund,…
