Spring 2017
Spring is finally here and it's
not just nature showing signs of growth; the Australian economy is also bearing fruit.
Most
of the top 200 ASX-listed companies have now announced their results for the 2017 financial year and the
overall report card is good. According to CommSec, 90% of companies reporting full-year results turned
a profit, while 91% paid a dividend.
Earnings were up a combined 67% on a year ago, dividends were
up 10% and cash levels rose 27% to almost $108 billion. The strongest sectors were mining, which benefited
from stronger commodity prices and cost cutting, followed by food companies, REITs and companies dependent
on the housing market. Dragging the chain were consumer-focused and media companies.
A healthy
outlook for the job market was reflected in a fall in unemployment from 5.7% to 5.6% in July, although
wage growth is still sluggish up just 0.5% in the June quarter for an annual rate of 1.9%. The NAB business
conditions index rose to a 9-year high of 15 points in July, while the business confidence index also
firmed 8.4 points to 11.7. Consumers are less positive, with the weekly ANZ/Roy Morgan consumer confidence
rating lifting off a 12-month low to finish August at 113.5. The Australian dollar remains a challenge
for exporters, firming to end the month close to US80c.
I hope you find this and other
articles in this months newsletter of interest.
Looking forward to chatting or hearing from
you soon, best regards
Janet
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How to prepare for climbing interest rates
Interest rates have
been low for so long it's tempting to think low rates are the new normal.
So when the Reserve
Bank suggests that a cash rate of 3.5% is the new 'neutral', people take notice. Even the Prime Minister
warned Australian householders to prepare for higher interest rates ahead.
The official cash
rate has been held at a record low of 1.5% since August 2016, but in recent months the Reserve Bank has
begun preparing the ground for higher rates. The Reserve Bank says it... Read
more
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Life insurance inside or outside super?
If you've got
super, chances are you'll have some default insurance included and the option to buy more at an attractive
price. It's a cost effective way to get a basic level of cover, but holding insurance inside super does
have some downsides.
Forms of super insurance:
There are three types of
insurance you can hold inside super: life, total and permanent disability (TPD) and income protection
insurance. Many super funds automatically insure their members and will provide a (relatively small) payout
if, for example, they die or suffer a debilitating... Read
more
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The lost art of conversation
When was the last time you had a
lengthy chat to a friend over the phone or, rarer still, a decent face-to-face catch up? Remember spending
time with a loved one making the most of precious hours having saved up every story, anecdote, and interesting
conversation starter up your sleeve? Nowadays the bulk of our relationships seem to be conducted via text.
It's not just SMS. We now have so many different ways to communicate 24/7, if you also include
email, social media, and video as well as phone calls. We... Read
more
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New release of Updated Combined FSG - Version 7.0, dated
28 August 2017
There are two main changes:
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Updated for Easton Investments Limited ownership details
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Removal of the words "non-institutionally-owned" under section 2, in light of the
ASIC media release of 27 June clarifying its position on restricted terms.
You can download the new version by clicking below.
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Arrow Focus on Wealth
2 Thredbo Drive
Worongary Qld 4213 W www.focusonwealth.com.au E
janet@focusonwealth.com.au P 07 5530 3500 Facebook /focusonwealth.com.au
Steve Culpitt is a Sub Authorised Representative ( AR 270473)
of Arrow Focus on Wealth.
Arrow Focus on Wealth Pty Ltd is a Corporate Authorised Representative
(CAR 270472) of GPS Wealth Ltd AFSL 254 544 Australian Credit Licence 254 544 ABN 17 005 482 726 General
Advice Warning: This communication contains general advice only. The information has not been prepared
to take into account your specific objectives, needs and financial situation. The information may not
be appropriate to your individual needs and you should seek advice before making any decisions regarding
any products or strategies mentioned in this communication.
Disclaimer: Whilst Arrow is of the view
the contents of this article is based on information which is believed to be reliable, its accuracy and
completeness are not guaranteed and no warranty of accuracy or reliability is given or implied and no
responsibility for any loss or damage arising in any way for any representation, act or omission is accepted
by Arrow or GPS Wealth Ltd or any officer, agent or employee of Arrow or GPS Wealth Ltd.
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