Economics

As world oil’s upstream and downstream industries stand at a crossroads, investors globally face the challenge of deciphering innumerable geopolitical and economic signals. These signals will also directly impact inflation rates with implications for central bank interest rate policy. For investors, the outlook for oil holds more than the usual amount of sway. From potential upheavals in the Middle East to colossal mergers in the U.S., here’s a shallow dive into the factors influencing the future of oil. continue…

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

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• POSTED IN Economics, Energy / Resources, Global markets, Market commentary

At a recent investment conference here in Sydney, former Federal Reserve Bank of New York president, Chief Executive Officer (CEO), and now Bloomberg columnist William C. Dudley, provided a comprehensive overview of the current economic landscape in the U.S., highlighting several key points that shed light on the Federal Reserve’s (Fed) perspective and future policy directions. Dudley’s analysis offers a crucial perspective for understanding the Fed’s current mindset and the potential trajectory of its future policies. All of which, of course, have consequences for investors’ portfolios. continue…

by Roger Montgomery Posted in Economics, Global markets, Market commentary.

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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. continue…

by Roger Montgomery Posted in Economics, Global markets, Market commentary.

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In its fight against persistent inflation, the Reserve Bank of Australia (RBA) has just introduced its 13^th rate hike in this cycle at the same the financial strain on Australian households intensifies. According to a disturbing report published in The Australian Financial Review (AFR) this week, the Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development (OECD) has discovered Australia leads the world in the annual pace of disposable income declines globally. continue…

by Roger Montgomery Posted in Economics, Market commentary.

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• POSTED IN Economics, Market commentary

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. Federal Reserve cut rates to zero, and our own Australian banks benefitted from the Reserve Bank of Australia’s (RBA) term funding facility, which provided three-year funding at 0.1 per cent. continue…

by Roger Montgomery Posted in Economics, Market commentary.

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A conga-line of commentators have spoken out about the risks associated with equity markets right now. Many of the dangers cited are, however, already well known and, in some cases, have been in existence for years if not decades. Relying on these conditions to inspire a market sell-off is tantamount to predicting when other investors will also start to worry about them. Given they are already in existence and well known, guessing when, and if, sentiment will shift and broadly agree with the commentators highlighting the issue is prone to error. continue…

by Roger Montgomery Posted in Economics, Global markets, Market commentary.

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Australia, known for its stunning landscapes, unique wildlife, and thriving cities, is experiencing a population boom of historic proportions. As of March 31, 2023, our great southern land is home to 26,473,055 individuals. This remarkable figure represents an astonishing increase of 563,205 people in just one year, marking a growth rate of 2.17 per cent. If this pace continues for another quarter, Australia is poised to set a record for its highest annual population growth, and net overseas migration (NOM) is the driving force. continue…

by Roger Montgomery Posted in Economics, Market commentary.

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The recent removal of the Speaker of the U.S. House of Representatives, Kevin McCarthy, seems to coincide with the outlook of an unsustainable budget deficit and the likelihood the U.S. Federal Debt to GDP ratio will soon exceed the record reached in 1946, immediately after the second World War. continue…

by David Buckland Posted in Economics, Global markets, Market commentary.

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The economic outlook both in Australia and abroad remains complex, with the lags from material monetary policy tightening proving to be longer than expected. The U.S. economy is showing remarkable resilience, with the consumer benefiting from savings buffers, fixed rate mortgages and rising real wages. 

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by Roger Montgomery Posted in Economics, Market commentary.

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I have a great deal of respect for the team that has been assembled at Barrenjoey, and I have every confidence they will add enormous value to investors through their insights and contribution to the ongoing conversation about the economy and markets. Barrenjoey recently penned a note revealing their outlook for economies and markets, and it’s safe to say, it isn’t the consensus view, which makes it particularly compelling reading. continue…

by Roger Montgomery Posted in Economics, Market commentary, Stocks We Like.

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• POSTED IN Economics, Market commentary, Stocks We Like