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Key points – Introduction After much debate and anticipation, the US Federal Reserve looks likely to raise interest rates at its meeting this week by 0.25% taking the Fed Funds rate to a range of 3.75-4%. This will be its first hike since 2023. Dashed…

Key points Introduction This year has seen a rising trend in bond yields with the US 30-year treasury bond yield reaching its highest in around two decades and the Australian Government’s 10-year bond yield rising to its highest since 2011. This is causing some consternation…

Key points Introduction Cotality data shows national average home prices fell 0.9% in August, with capital city prices down 1.1%, their fifth monthly fall in a row. This followed a fall of 1.2% in July which had been revised from 0.7%. Prices nationally have now…

Key points Introduction One criticism of the latest Reserve Bank of Australia decision, its use of forecasts and an assertion that “they’re no better at it than the private sector astrologists at major banks masquerading as so-called ‘market economists’” got me thinking. What exactly has…

Key points The RBA remains in wait and assess mode The RBA’s decision to leave rates on hold at 4.35% was no surprise. This followed a decision to leave rates on hold in June after three consecutive rate hikes earlier this year. The RBA revised…

Key points “Compound interest is the eighth wonder of the world. He who understands it, earns it; he who doesn’t, pays it.” – Albert Einstein Introduction If there is “one thing” investors should know about investing, it’s the power of compound interest or returns. In…

Key points RBA cuts to 3.6% and continues to lean dovish 12 August was a great day for Swifties (with a new album on the way – “The Life of a Showgirl”), RBA watchers and those with a mortgage. After the surprise RBA decision to…

Key points “Productivity isn’t everything, but, in the long run, it is almost everything”. Paul Krugman, Economist “If you walk into any pet shop in Australia, what the resident galah will be talking about is microeconomic policy.” Paul Keating, Australian Treasurer, 1989 when exasperated about…