Author: victoria

Economic Update Video – September 2020

by victoria

The Reserve Bank forecasts the economy will contract 6% this year before rebounding 5% in 2021.

The recent company reporting season provided an insight into the financial impact of COVID-19 on the economy and for investors.

Only 75% of ASX 200 companies reported a net profit in the year to June. Full-year earnings were down 38% on aggregate, while dividends were down 36%.

53% of companies either cut or didn’t pay a dividend, a move that will affect investors who depend on dividend income from shares.

The current cash target rate of 0.25% has been left unchanged and is expected to remain at its current level for the foreseeable future.


Please get in touch if you’d like assistance with your personal financial situation.

Continue reading “Economic Update Video – September 2020”

Spring 2020

by victoria

It’s September and spring is finally here. This is always a wonderful time to get out in the garden or in nature, on foot or on your bike, even if travel restrictions mean we need to stay closer to home this year.

The recent company reporting season for the year or half-year to June 30 provided an insight into the financial impact of COVID-19 – on the economy and for investors. Analysis by CommSec showed only 75% of ASX 200 companies reported a net profit in the year to June 30. Full-year earnings were down 38% on aggregate, while dividends were down 36%. In an extremely difficult trading environment, 53% of companies either cut or didn’t pay a dividend, a move that will affect investors who depend on dividend income from shares. Continue reading “Spring 2020”

Economic Update Video – August 2020

by victoria

The government’s July budget update gave an insight into the economic impact of the health crisis, below is a video to assist you to stay up to date with the latest indicators.

The economy contracted by an estimated 0.25% in 2019-20, with a further fall of 2.5% in 2020-21.

The budget deficit is estimated to be:

– $85.8 billion in 2019-20 (4.3% of GDP, and

– $184.5 billion in 2020-21 (9.7% of GDP).

This would be the biggest deficit as a share of GDP since 1946 in the aftermath of WWII.

The current cash target rate of 0.25% has been left unchanged.


Please get in touch if you’d like assistance with your personal financial situation.

Continue reading “Economic Update Video – August 2020”

August 2020 Newsletter

by victoria

August is here and the wattle is in bloom, a sign that spring is around the corner. Australians will all be hoping for brighter days ahead, as we contend with rising COVID cases and sobering news on the economic front.

After postponing the Federal Budget until October due to COVID, the government released a budget update on July 23 which gave an insight into the economic impact of the health crisis. It estimates a budget deficit of $85.8 billion in 2019-20 (4.3% of GDP) rising to $184.5 billion in 2020-21 (9.7% of GDP). This would be the biggest deficit as a share of GDP since 1946 in the aftermath of WWII. The economy contracted an estimated 0.25% in 2019-20, with a further fall of 2.5% in 2020-21, the first consecutive annual falls in over 70 years. Continue reading “August 2020 Newsletter”

July 2020 Newsletter – Super Evolution

by victoria

July is here along with the winter chill. But July also signals the start of a new financial year and chances are most Australians are happy to say goodbye to the last one. This year more than ever it’s a great time to plan your finances for the year ahead, to rebuild or make the most of savings you have made during months of social isolation.

With an extraordinary financial year behind us, it’s a good time to take stock. After 28 years Australia’s record economic expansion ended due to the COVID shutdowns. Our economy contracted by 0.3% in the March quarter and looks set to contract 8% in the June quarter, confirmation that we are officially in recession. The Budget deficit for the 12 months to May was a record $65.5 billion or 3.3% of GDP, $61 billion higher than predicted just last December. Unemployment rose to 7.1% in May, the highest since 2001, with another 1.6 million Australians on JobKeeper payments. Continue reading “July 2020 Newsletter – Super Evolution”

Economic Update Video – June 2020

by victoria

As May unfolded, hopes grew of economic re-opening, below is a video to assist you to stay up to date with the latest indicators.

Reserve Bank Governor Philip Lowe told a Senate Committee on COVID-19 the economic downturn was less severe than feared due to Australia’s better than expected health outcomes and government stimulus and support.

Australian shares bounced back by around 5% in May, while the US market rose 3%.

The cash rate for June has been left unchanged at 0.25%. Continue reading “Economic Update Video – June 2020”

Winter 2020

by victoria

Winter is here and we are almost to the end of another financial year. And what a year it’s been! With so many Australians impacted by fires, floods, drought and now COVID-19, let’s hope the new financial year sees a return to something like normality.

As May unfolded, hopes grew of economic re-opening. Reserve Bank Governor Philip Lowe told a Senate Committee on COVID-19 the economic downturn was less severe than feared due to Australia’s better than expected health outcomes and government stimulus and support. However, he stressed: “It’s very important we don’t withdraw fiscal stimulus too early”. Unemployment rose from 5.2% to 6.2% in April, but without JobKeeper support payments it would have been closer to 9.6%. The value of construction work fell 19% in the March quarter, 6.5% over the year, highlighting the need for government stimulus. New business investment in buildings and equipment also fell 6.1% in the year to March, although mining investment bucked the trend, up 4.2% in the March quarter. This was reflected in our record trade surplus of $77.5 billion in the year to April, despite a drop-off in imports and exports in April. Continue reading “Winter 2020”