Investment Newsletter – July 2013

Investment Market Update The volatility in global equity markets has increased significantly in the period from May to July 2013. The volatility is mainly due to concerns that the US Quantitative Easing (i.e. buying government Bonds) policy will be tapered off towards the end of this year, that China is showing signs of slowing down

Federal Budget Newsletter – 2013

Overview The Federal Government has announced that it is no longer able to deliver on its $1.5 billion projected budget surplus in 2013-14. Instead it will deliver a deficit of $18 billion in 2013-14 and look to return the budget to a surplus position by 2015-16 – of $0.8 billion. GDP growth is forecast to

Harvest Investment Perspective: The Pursuit of Yield Through Equities

Market commentators have been highlighting the attractive opportunities for investors through targeting a high income return from Australian shares. However, given the current global market volatility, questions are now being raised as to whether the pursuit of a high income return has run its course, or whether other investment themes should be targeted in the future.

Investment Newsletter – April 2013

Global equity markets have performed strongly during the months of January and February 2013. We have seen some short term pullback in the last week, mainly over an uncertain election result in Italy. Some key themes affecting the market are as follows:

Legislative Update – Proposed Superannuation Changes (Announced 5 April, 2013)

The Federal Government has today announced further proposed changes to superannuation. It is important to note that the changes announced will not be introduced into Parliament before the Federal Election (scheduled for 14 September, 2013) but will form part of the Labor Party’s election platform. Summary of Announcements Tax on pension income from super Investment

Investment Newsletter – February 2013

Global equity markets have performed strongly during the months of January and February 2013. We have seen some short term pullback in the last week, mainly over an uncertain election result in Italy. Some key themes affecting the market are as follows:

Investment Newsletter – January 2013

Investment Market Commentary   Global equity markets have performed strongly during the months of December 2012 and January 2013. Some key themes affecting the market are as follows: Australia Australian business confidence increased significantly to +3 (up from -9) in December 2012.  The increase is due to the Australian RBA rate cut in December 2012

Review of the 2012 Investment Year

Commentary “Mixed is perhaps the best way to describe the 2012 investment year. The world’s major economies and economic blocs all had their issues to deal with. Some overcame these issues well while others struggled. With the 2012 U.S. Presidential election victory behind him, Barack Obama will go into 2013 with a major focus on

Investment Newsletter – November 2012

Australian economic growth appears to be moderating with consensus growth for 2013 being 2.5% pa. Key drags on growth remain the high $A, some new mining projects being cancelled or postponed, slow credit growth and slowing global growth. The Reserve Bank of Australia (RBA) is expected to reduce the official cash rate in the next few months to assist in stimulating additional economic activity.

Wills and Structuring Your Estate

Regardless of your age or whether you have accumulated a large or a smaller amount of assets over your life, it is important to have an up-to-date Will. In doing so, you ensure that should you pass away, your assets will be distributed in the way that you would have intended. How a Will works: If