February 27, 2017
As of November 30, 2016 new strata laws have come into effect in New South Wales after many years of ‘toing’ and ‘froing’. Whilst these changes encompass over 90 reforms, the one everyone is talking about deals with collective – or ‘forced’ – sales. Essentially, there has been a softening in the current requirement that 100% […]
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Getting your affairs in order – what is an appointment of Enduring Guardian?
December 7, 2017
An Enduring Guardian is the person you appoint to make personal, health or lifestyle decisions on your behalf should you lose the capacity to make them for yourself. When you appoint an Enduring Guardian, you choose the decision-making powers your Enduring Guardian will have. For example, you can authorise your Enduring Guardian to decide where […]
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Are we heading for a Santa Rally this year?
December 7, 2017
The so called Santa Rally is a real phenomenon – there’s evidence to suggest stocks rise around the time leading into Christmas. However, Dr Shane Oliver highlights a few headwinds that need to be overcome for stocks to follow the same trend this year. You don’t have to believe in Christmas miracles to be hoping […]
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Will Australian House Prices Crash? 5 Reasons why it’s more complicated than you think!
October 31, 2017
Key points Talk of a property crash is likely to ramp up again with signs that the Sydney and Melbourne property markets are cooling. But the Australian property market is a lot more complicated than the crash calls suggest. We continue to expect a 5-10% downswing in Sydney and Melbourne property prices but a crash […]
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2016-17 saw strong returns for investors – 5 Reasons why returns are likely to be solid in 2017-18
August 18, 2017
Key Points Despite a lengthy list of worries including Brexit, Trump and messy Australian growth, the past financial year saw strong returns for diversified investors as shares recovered from a rough time in 2015-16. Key lessons for investors from the last financial year include: turn down the noise around financial markets, maintain a well-diversified portfolio; […]
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Finally, some clarity
August 18, 2017
The property market has finally received some clarity in relation to the government’s plan to reduce depreciation deductions for residential properties. It’s good news too, if you ask me. On Friday 14th July, the Treasury office released a draft bill regarding how depreciation deductions on second-hand property can be claimed moving forward. They also invited interested parties […]
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Are You Tipping the Tax Man?
May 2, 2017
A lot of people leave their preparation for the end of the financial year until it is too late. June 30 falls on a Friday this year, so ideally any strategies or contributions should be finalised by Tuesday, June 27 to be included in this financial year. If you feel that your finances could do with a […]
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Global growth looking healthier – underpinning share markets and a rising trend in bond yields
May 2, 2017
Introduction Despite numerous geopolitical threats (Eurozone elections, tensions between the US and China, North Korea, etc.), worries about the demise of the so-called “Trump trade” and shares being overbought and due for a correction at the start of the year, share markets have proved to be remarkably resilient with only a minor pull back into […]
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Super Reform Changes for 2017
February 27, 2017
There are a number of changes to superannuation which were announced as part of the 2016 Federal Budget. Many key changes come into effect on 1 July 2017. Accordingly, taxpayers have an opportunity to take advantage of the current rules prior to 30 June when the new regime comes into force. Non-Concessional Contributions There are […]
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Is Donald Trump’s Honeymoon with Investors Over?
February 27, 2017
Since the US election last November US and global shares rallied around 8% and Australian shares rallied around 12% to their recent highs. Related to this the US dollar, bond yields and some commodity prices also pushed significantly higher. Optimism regarding Donald Trump’s pro-growth policies were not the only factor playing a role in this […]
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New Strata Laws for NSW
February 27, 2017
As of November 30, 2016 new strata laws have come into effect in New South Wales after many years of ‘toing’ and ‘froing’. Whilst these changes encompass over 90 reforms, the one everyone is talking about deals with collective – or ‘forced’ – sales. Essentially, there has been a softening in the current requirement that 100% […]
Read more