Economics

This week, I joined David Taylor on ABC PM to discuss the Reserve Bank of Australia’s latest rate cut and why bank customers should take action. Many of us are effectively lending money to banks for free, and inertia prevents us from seeking better returns. With no guarantee of further cuts, now is the time to shop around and make our cash work harder. continue…

by Roger Montgomery Posted in Economics, Radio.

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Last year, the stars were aligned for gains in equities. In 2023, we alerted investors to three key ingredients pointing in the right direction for 2024. Disinflation, positive economic growth and a massive injection of liquidity all helped investors feel confident about piling into the AI thematic, which drove equity indices to new all-time records. continue…

by Roger Montgomery Posted in Economics.

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Liquidity is a concept critical to understanding investment markets.

Back in mid to late 2022, we wrote several posts on our blog and articles in The Australian, compelling investors to consider and pay attention to the very low price-to-earnings (P/E) ratios at which equities were trading. continue…

by Roger Montgomery Posted in Economics, Market commentary.

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One of the biggest challenges for investors and market watchers – especially those with a shorter-term bias – is deciphering Federal Reserve (Fed) policy. Typically, they rely on headlines, media soundbites, and second-hand analyses. But every so often, it pays to look directly at what the Fed is actually saying. Below is a recap of Federal Reserve Chair Jerome Powell’s most recent press conference – highlighting key quotes from Powell himself – so you can form your own views on where monetary policy and the economy might be headed. continue…

by Roger Montgomery Posted in Economics.

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First, it was DeepSeek, and now it’s tariffs. Investors will need to endure more volatility, while those hoping for cheaper prices to enter the market might have their wish granted this week.

You might not think Trump’s imposition of tariffs on imports from Mexico, Canada and China has anything to do with your Australian equity portfolio but think again. The next few days could see markets move materially. continue…

by Roger Montgomery Posted in Economics, Market commentary.

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Why do we have a housing crisis? We’re told it’s because there isn’t enough housing, so the price to purchase or rent is too high for young people. There’s no denying the truth of those two answers. One might, however, choose to dig a little deeper: Why do we not have enough houses in Australia, and why are prices so high? continue…

by Roger Montgomery Posted in Economics, Editor's Pick.

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The U.S. recorded its 23rd consecutive federal deficit in the year to September 2024 at US$1.83 trillion, around 6.5 per cent of gross domestic product (GDP). For October and November 2024, the federal budget deficit hit US$622 billion, up US$242 billion or 64 per cent year-on-year. Admittedly, some of the jump was related to timing differences. continue…

by David Buckland Posted in Economics.

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This article was first published in The Australian on 30 March 2013.

Back in 2013, Wesfarmers (ASX:WES) chairman and head of a business council panel on the decline of value-adding and manufacturing in Australia Bob Every described Australia as a mere “quarry”. continue…

by Roger Montgomery Posted in Economics, Editor's Pick.

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If you haven’t yet, read Bored apes and bananas – Part 1

Since the beginning of the year, some commentators have voiced concerns that equity valuations have become historically stretched. Thanks to the rally in technology stocks, Wall Street’s major indices have displayed historically high valuation metrics such as the cyclically adjusted price-earnings (CAPE) shiller ratio. continue…

by Roger Montgomery Posted in Economics, Market commentary.

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John Templeton famously observed; bull markets are born on pessimism, grow on scepticism, mature on optimism, and die on euphoria.

With several commentators now labelling markets euphoric, the call for a correction is becoming louder. continue…

by Roger Montgomery Posted in Economics, Market commentary.

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