How much power does an Enduring Power of Attorney have?
A recent court case may be the first of many related to the reach of an attorney’s power in relation to self managed superannuation funds, and superannuation in general, as well as trusts.
November 2018
SMSFs, business real property and the small business CGT cap
The ATO has indicated that in-specie contributions of active assets, such as business real property, may not qualify for the lifetime CGT cap where the in-specie super contribution is also the CGT event that qualifies for the small business CGT concessions.
October 2018
SMSFs, business real property and the small business CGT capOctober 2018
A decade after the GFC, global recovery gathers pace
After the GFC, many people expected a “new normal” of slow and hesitant economic growth with sustained low investment returns. But the fact is we have seen exceptionally high rates of return from most asset classes — in large part because interest rates fell to such low levels, and the still-low rates of inflation.
August 2018
Is modern 'ethical investing' just a luxury for the wealthy, or a robust strategy worthy of consideration by all investors?
Responsible investing seems all the rage, but what does this focus on Environmental, Social and Governance criteria (ESG) actually mean for individual investors?
July 2018
Why Australian interest rates could stay low for decades… and what that means for your investments
If we see an inflation breakout in Australia, an increase of up to 2% in cash rates should be more than enough to cool the economy. And, given that an interest rate rise of that magnitude will cause considerable stress to households and therefore the economy, interest rates will then probably be eased back.
June 2018
Financial Insights - 2018 Federal Budget Edition
2018 Federal Budget edition of Financial Insights
May 2018
Are we closing in on a sharemarket crash?
Are warnings overplayed of an early spike in the bond yield forcing the sharemarket into an early and deep slump?
April 2018
Do you have a SMSF and considering living and working overseas?
Most people are unaware that a self managed superannuation fund (SMSF) with non-resident trustees and members may be ‘non-complying’.
March 2018
Same sex marriage and the attendant implications for estate planning
The recent passing of the Same Sex Marriage Bill by Parliament is cause for celebration for those in a same sex relationship, but they should also be aware of the legal implications of marriage, and plan for their family’s future accordingly.
February 2018
Global sharemarkets have risen this year as major risks have eased
Compared with a year ago the world economy is in much better shape; the US has slowly grown back to full employment, China continues to roar ahead and the European and Japanese economies have started to grow again.
December 2017
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How to navigate the common estate planning pitfalls December 2017 |
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Investor bias: The eye only sees what the mind is prepared to comprehend November 2017 |
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Australian banks still worth a place in most portfolios… despite what some commentators say |
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Are interest rates unnaturally low? Or are they where they should be?
We hear the claim that interest rates have been kept unnaturally low by Central Banks around the world with the clear implication that no good will come of this and, before long, they will be forced to take them back to more natural levels. The end of the residential property boom? |
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Financial Insights - 2017 Federal Budget Edition |
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Contributing to your community and establishing a lasting legacy |
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Is it an honour to be named an executor… or is it a burden with significant risk? |
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Rethinking post-retirement asset allocation |
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China, the Rest of the West and Viewing the World through New Lenses |
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Geopolitical risk has gone up a little this year, but not enough to change investment strategy or our long term forecasts |
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What are the limits on superannuation contributions in the 2016/17 financial year? |
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What's Driving Voter Resentment in the US and Europe? |
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Trump v Clinton: who will be better for the US sharemarket? |
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The power of social proof (or how 'herd behaviour' can drive investment bubbles and busts) |
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Has it really been 26 years without a recession in Australia? Or is it only two? |
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How companies make the leap from good to great |
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What level of return should we accept from shares? |
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Superannuation year-end planning for 2015/16 - how do the Federal Budget proposals change your intent to contribute prior to 1 July 2016? |
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Behavioural finance: Why ‘short-termism’ is hard-wired in investors (and why it’s bad for their wealth) |
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Federal Budget 2016: An economic plan, not just another budget |
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Why investors' current pessimism is misplaced |
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Super inheritances: The lump sum versus pension conundrum |
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What do world-class companies do better than their competitors? |
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Have we reached the limits of Quantitative Easing? |
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It's a good time to invest in shares - despite the recession talk |
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The promised splurge on infrastructure - will it revive the global economy? |
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The Australian Housing Outlook report 2015 - 2018 |
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Dividend imputation's unheralded magic... |
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What's causing the volatility in global investment markets? |
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Will Greece stay with the euro? |
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Greece succumbs to Stein's Law... |
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Which investment markets are attractive right now...and which are not? |
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What are the key implications of the 2015 Federal Budget? |
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Superannuation year end planning for 2014/15 |
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The way out for debt-stricken governments could be to come after your wealth |
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Interest rates tipped to stay low for a long time yet |
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How the internet has unwittingly halted the globalisation tide |
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Death benefits and SMSFs: How to ensure there are no nasty surprises. |
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2015: The year ahead for investment markets |
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Most share markets remain attractively priced, despite recent volatility and bad news |
| What's causing the recent increase in sharemarket volatility? And why it may just be a shorter term issue. In the last week or so, we have seen an escalation in volatility in the Australian sharemarket... October 2014 |
| Global re-balancing slowly healing the wounds from the GFC Whenever people pinpoint the causes of the global financial crisis, they usually list the massive expansion of credit... July 2014 |
| Long term sharemarket prospects remain solid with normal ups and downs Sharemarkets have continued to produce solid returns over the first half of this year... June 2014 |
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Superannuation year end planning for 2014 |
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2014 Federal Budget Special Overview - 'Contribute and Build' |
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What are the pros and cons of holding life insurance in super? |
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The aged care reforms – what you need to know |
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Two investment themes which will help drive sharemarket opportunities in Asia |
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How Mutual Wills can help provide certainty for beneficiaries |
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Even after a strong 2013 from sharemarkets, their long term prospects remain solid |
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How the superannuation ’Bring Forward Rule’ works for people aged 64 |
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The New Internet Age |
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Update on the US Government Shutdown |
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The liquidity risks of holding business property in an SMSF… and an efficient solution |
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Super and Divorce: Making the best of a bad situation |
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Current Australian sharemarket volatility just a speed bump (and a good buying opportunity) |
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Don't sail in murky waters? Why ‘known unknowns’ help take risk out of investing |
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The case for diversifying your investments |
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The 2013 Federal Budget: How the proposed changes to superannuation could affect you |
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The issues in Cyprus should not derail the global economic recovery |
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SMSFs and the new insurance regulation - what SMSF Trustees need to know |
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Resilient US economy set to grow in spite of austerity measures |
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How investors can harness emotions for better investment decisions |
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Share market shrugging off bad news |
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The Australian dollar’s Achilles Heel might finally cause a de-valuation |
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The implications of the slackening mining boom |
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Stronger Super Reforms: How SuperStream and MySuper will impact employer super arrangements |
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How risk insurance fits into your financial plan |
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The Eurozone Crisis: It’s up to the politicians, not central bankers, now |
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Europe’s dreadful and maybe not-so-dreadful choices |
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Investment opportunities to increase in Asian markets in 2012 |
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The problems business owners face when a partner dies or is disabled |
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Why central banking is becoming increasingly challenging |
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How will investment markets fare in 2012? |
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The European Debt crisis rolls on – but the good news is that sharemarkets aren’t too worried |
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How long will your savings last in retirement? |
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The storm before the calm |
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Central banks take centre stage |
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The pros and cons of the different ownership structures for insurance cover for business estate planning |
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The US and European debt crisis turns into a crisis of confidence in Australia |
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Markets recover after August falls |
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Positive signs for the Australian economy, but caution will warranted |
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Lessons from the Eurozone debt crisis |
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Problems in Europe may be overstated |
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To what extent do key financial factors impact on the life of your retirement savings? |
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One Woe Doth Tread Upon Another's Heel |
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How to safeguard your vision of a secure financial future for your business and its |
| A tragic start to the year All Australians know the main story so far this year has been the tragic floods...
7 February 2011
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| What will 2011 look like – a quick economic overview The Australian economy begins 2011 with a fair head of steam: employment has increased by 3.7% in the past twelve months…
12 January 2011
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| Negative Gearing Vs Superannuation What is the best way of investing spare income to create wealth...
15 December 2010
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| Where to now for the Australian Dollar? Share markets had a moderately successful October. The US market rose by more than 3%...
15 November 2010
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| A mood change in investment markets? Share markets did better in September. Investors breathed a sigh of relief...
12 October 2010
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| What’s driving consumption in the Australian economy? Recent comments from Reserve Bank officials suggest that policymakers are increasingly concerned...
6 October 2010
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| What are some of the key financial issues to consider prior to entering an Aged Care Hostel or Nursing Home? Nursing homes and hostels are categorised by the government as aged care facilities. The main difference between the two...
1 October 2010
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| The new growth model The Australian economy is becoming increasingly dependent on a narrow source of growth...
2 September 2010
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| Global equity markets continue to feel the pressure For a while, markets were starting to get some support from the consistently good economic data...
13 August 2010
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| Good news for retirees – Government extends pension drawdown relief You might remember that as a result of the impact of the Global Financial Crisis on retirees’ retirement nest-eggs...
5 July 2010
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| What are the implications of the proposed changes to superannuation rules? The Government proposed two significant changes to the superannuation...
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