Economics

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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With forecasters failing to predict the acceleration of inflation from 2021, and its subsequent persistence, it is unsurprising that the U.S. ten-year treasury bonds now exceeds 4.4 per cent, the highest yield recorded in 16 years. continue…

by David Buckland Posted in Economics, Market commentary.

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In this week’s video insight, I review the question of whether a recession is imminent. There has been no shortage of talks of a recession lately, although if we dive deeper into what we have seen in markets over August and September a compelling counterpoint to this narrative is visible. continue…

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

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I have long ignored the reported vicissitudes of China’s economy, unable to reconcile the fact their gross domestic product (GDP) data – obtained from an impossibly large and disparate country – is released more quickly at the end of each month than the U.S. and the data is rarely, if ever, subsequently amended or adjusted. They get it right the first time, every time. A quick look at the piles of junked Chinese products at the local waste disposal centre quickly disabuses one of any belief in China’s systems producing data that is right the first time every time. continue…

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

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Recently, our small-cap team listened to Barrenjoey Capital’s chief economist, Jo Masters, discuss the prospects for the Australian economy. In brief, Masters forecasts the economy to slow rapidly and unemployment to rise to five per cent, with a recession the most probable outcome.  She also foresees persistent inflation, which will force the RBA to hold interest rates at the current level until May 2024.  If she’s right, investors are in for interesting times ahead. continue…

by Roger Montgomery Posted in Economics, Market commentary.

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