Economics

San Francisco and Lisbon-based KIÉR LIÓR provides institutional investors, family offices, and direct lenders with institutional-grade oversight, underwriting and portfolio management services for international private credit portfolios.

On the subject of Private Credit, their musings are well worth your time, remembering the comments are typically U.S. and Euro-centric, where conditions and legal frameworks may not favour lenders as much as they do in Australia.

Reflecting on a recent episode of the Credit Edge podcast featuring Goldman Sachs Chief Credit Strategist Amanda Lynam, KIÉR LIÓR Managing Director Aznaur Midov noted: continue…

by Roger Montgomery Posted in Aura Group, Economics, Market commentary.

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I joined Jess Maguire on ABC Statewide Drive to discuss why oil prices may be giving investors a false sense of calm. While markets expect Middle East tensions to ease, the release of oil from the U.S. Strategic Petroleum Reserve and the need to eventually replenish those supplies could create the conditions for a sharp spike in oil prices, with implications for inflation, interest rates and share markets.

Tune in from 1:45:16: ABC Statewide Drive continue…

by Roger Montgomery Posted in Economics, Energy / Resources, Market commentary, Radio.

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I joined Juliette Saly on Ausbiz to discuss why Australia may be heading down the same path as Canada and New Zealand. Net overseas migration has nearly doubled from an average of 220,000 people per annum between 2007 and 2022 to around 423,000 per annum since May 2022, yet real Gross Domestic Product (GDP) per capita has been positive in only 4 of the past 15 quarters. We also discussed Australia’s weak productivity growth and whether population growth has been masking a slowing economy.

continue…

by David Buckland Posted in Economics, Insightful Insights, Market commentary, TV Appearances.

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Based on the 2026–27 Federal Budget, the Australian Government expects its comprehensive tax reform package – anchored by changes to Capital Gains Tax (CGT) and negative gearing – to raise just over $40 billion over 10 years. On an annual basis, this averages approximately $4 billion, though revenue will increase from a lower base over time due to the grandfathering and transitional rules built into the legislation.

As an aside, it has triggered widespread condemnation because, despite the changes being so significant, they weren’t taken to an election. continue…

by Roger Montgomery Posted in Economics, Market commentary.

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I joined Phil Clark on ABC Nightlife to discuss the Federal Government’s changes to capital gains tax (CGT) and negative gearing, and whether the reforms will improve housing affordability for younger Australians. We explored the potential impact on property investors, first-home buyers and housing supply, as well as the broader economic consequences of reducing incentives to invest. We also discussed the upcoming SpaceX IPO, concerns around its rapid inclusion in major indices, and why calm oil prices may be masking growing risks in global energy markets.

Listen here: ABC Nightlife continue…

by Roger Montgomery Posted in Economics, Energy / Resources, Market commentary, Property, Radio.

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On May 11, Wall Street’s most bullish analyst raised his year-end S&P 500 target from 7700 to 8250, the highest forecast on Wall Street. He did so because of the strength and breadth of S&P 500 earnings during the Q1 earnings reporting season.

Citing Fabulous Earnings Momentum (FEMO), Yardeni expects this year’s stock market melt-up to be more sustainable than a FOMO (Fear of Missing Out)-led rally.

However, even Yardeni has turned more cautious in the near term. continue…

by Roger Montgomery Posted in Economics, Energy / Resources.

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I joined Jess Maguire on ABC Statewide Drive to discuss what rising oil prices and the conflict in the Middle East could mean for markets. We looked at historical data showing that past oil-price peaks have often been followed by weaker share markets, and also explored the growing excitement around SpaceX, including the opportunities and risks for investors considering investing in the company.

Tune in from 1:46:33 here: ABC Statewide Drive continue…

by Roger Montgomery Posted in Economics, Energy / Resources, Global markets, Market commentary, Radio.

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Inflation seems to be the topic du joúr. Perhaps surprisingly, however, is the variety of opinions, even on the same day.

Economists, strategists and analysts don’t seem to be able to agree on anything regarding inflation (except for the current number), even on the same day (in this case, today the 28th of May 2026) – even when presented with the same data.  

Here is just a small selection of comments about inflation that arrived in my inbox this morning, and as you will see, facts are open to interpretation. continue…

by Roger Montgomery Posted in Economics, Insightful Insights, Investing Education, Market commentary.

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In this week’s video insight, I explore the growing debate around whether AI stocks are in a bubble by revisiting a strikingly familiar research note published during the DotCom era in 1999. At the time, investors were told there were “good reasons to pay through the nose” for leading technology stocks because their growth and disruptive potential made “this time different.” Drawing on my own experience working through the DotCom bubble, I reflect on how speculative excess can continue far longer than expected before eventually unwinding, often with devastating consequences for investors. While today’s artificial intelligence (AI) leaders may have strong fundamentals, history reminds us that every bubble comes with a compelling narrative that sounds convincing in the moment. continue…

by Roger Montgomery Posted in Economics, Investing Education, Market commentary, Video Insights.

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Australia and the United States (U.S.) currently have one thing in common. 

Consumer confidence is in a world of pain. 

In the U.S., the Consumer Sentiment Index (CSI) has fallen to the lowest level ever recorded since the University of Michigan began tracking the data in 1952.

The Index, see Graph 1. and Table 1. below, hit 44.8 in May 2026, as Americans fear inflation, rising fuel costs, economic instability associated with the Iran War and the worry artificial intelligence (AI) will take white collar jobs.

When I look at the U.S. inflation rate – which was 3.8 per cent for the year to April 2026 – and the U.S. Federal Funds Rate at 3.75 per cent, I again point out a significant anomaly. continue…

by David Buckland Posted in Economics, Global markets, Insightful Insights, Investing Education, Market commentary.

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