Investor Insights

In this week’s video insight, I delve into the events of mid-October, specifically focusing on the collaborative proposal by ARN Media and Anchorage Capital Partners for a non-binding, indicative acquisition of Southern Cross Media. The merger sparked concerns about market dominance, particularly in the commercial radio sector in metropolitan Australia, leading to scrutiny from the ACCC. Notably, over the weekend, Kerry Stokes’ Seven West Media strategically acquired a 20 per cent stake in ARN Media, raising questions about his broader interests across Australia. The developments add layers of intrigue to the future of Australia’s commercial radio sector, making it a captivating subject to observe.

The Reserve Bank of Australia’s (RBA) latest rate rise has serious consequences for consumers and investors. There can be no argument that the RBA’s battle against inflation dominates investment commentary. Figure 1. Australian annual inflation And even though inflation is cooling in Australia, food price increases remain steep. Figure 2.

In the current financial climate, retirees and those approaching retirement are often caught between the Scylla and Charybdis of relatively low-interest rates and equity market volatility. The quest for a stable income solution has never been more pressing.

In the thriving metropolises of Australia, the real estate horizon is gleaming brighter than ever. House prices have surpassed previous highs, putting a final nail in the coffin of those pessimistic forecasters who predicted 25-30 per cent declines.

Private credit, in your author’s opinion, will feature in the top ten most used investment phrases for 2023. My BBQ conversations on weekends this year have gone from penny stock recommendations to weird and wonderful ways to get exposure to private markets, notably through credit.

The International Monetary Fund (IMF) have called on the Reserve Bank of Australia (RBA) to raise interest rates further.  ​ The IMF is concerned with the persistent rate of inflation. Whilst they are confident in assuming that inflation has peaked, the rate of decline is too slow and core inflation remains firm.

There is much debate about whether rates will rise or fall or stay about here for some time – the latter being my personal stance and prediction. Irrespective of our own beliefs, I think we can all agree interest rates aren’t going back to the lows we saw when the U. S.

Cettire (ASX:CTT), was launched in 2017, and is a global online retailer, offering more than 2,500 luxury brands and 500,000 personal luxury goods via its website, cettire. com. The rapidly growing luxury e-commerce platform is not short of competition. Net-A-Porter, Gilt and Farfetch are global luxury goods e-commerce platforms that immediately come to mind.

The quarterly consumer price index rose 1. 2 per cent over the September quarter and 5. 4 per cent over the last 12 months. The quarterly result is higher than the 0. 8 per cent rise reported in June, however the annual consumer price index (CPI) headline figure has dropped from 6. 0 per cent.

It’s annual general meeting (AGM) season and our teams are furiously note-taking at dozens of company briefings where the opportunity to provide analysts with an update on trading conditions over the months of September and October is taken seriously.

Post-pandemic Australia is experiencing a remarkable surge in its population. Predominantly driven by a sharp incline in net migration after border restrictions were lifted, this boom, which of course brings more customers for businesses, also puts pressure on prices, entrenches inflation when supply is unable to keep up and poses essential questions for the country’s housing sector.

In this week’s video insight, I explore why the Australian S&P/ASX 200 index has shown no capital growth in the last 16 years. Australia’s taxation system is a unique creature. It heavily incentivises dividends mainly through the mechanism of franking credits. But is it time to reconsider some of your investments?