Provision Newsletter

https://w.soundcloud.com/player/?url=https%3A//api.soundcloud.com/tracks/724800409%3Fsecret_token%3Ds-wsdpL&color=%23ff5500&auto_play=false&hide_related=true&show_comments=false&show_user=true&show_reposts=false&show_teaser=true&visual=true%22%3E

With interest rates at historic lows and concerns regarding valuations of equity markets, retirees often wonder what is the right strategy to generate sustainable income for the longer term? In this podcast episode, we speak with Dermot Ryan, Co-Portfolio Manager at AMP Capital, to discuss this timely topic.

Author: Tim Keegan, Global Head of Marketing Digital & Innovation & Direct, Sydney, Australia

Source: AMP Capital 9 Dec 2019

Important notes: AMP Capital Funds Management Limited (ABN 15 159 557 721, AFSL 426455) (AMPCFM) is the responsible entity and the issuer of units in the AMP Capital Equity Income Generator (Fund). To invest in any the Fund, investors will need to obtain the current PDS from AMP Capital Investors Limited (ABN 59 001 777 591, AFSL 232 497) (AMP Capital). The PDS contains important information about investing in the Fund and it is important that investors read the PDS before making a decision about whether to acquire or continue to hold or dispose of units in the Fund. Neither AMP Capital, AMPCFM, nor any other company in the AMP Group guarantees the repayment of capital or the performance of any product or any particular rate of return referred to in this podcast. Past performance is not a reliable indicator of future performance. While every care has been taken in the preparation of this podcast, AMP Capital makes no representation or warranty as to the accuracy or completeness of any statement in it including without limitation, any forecasts. This podcast has been prepared for the purpose of providing general information, without taking account of any particular investor’s objectives, financial situation or needs. Investors should, before making any investment decisions, consider the appropriateness of the information in this podcast, and seek professional advice, having regard to their objectives, financial situation and needs. This podcast is solely for the use of the party to whom it is provided and must not be provided to any other person or entity without the express written consent of AMP Capital. For more information on the fund, please click here.

There are several global events and themes on our radar for the remainder of 2019 and moving into 2020. Those who recognise the utility of bonds in a broader investment portfolio should take note of these broader conditions.

There have been strong gains for bonds in recent months, after a period of declines. An example from the Australian market is pictured below. Part of the reason for this could be that bond markets are responding to an anticipated global economic recovery.  

Source: Bloomberg, as at 30/9/2019

Here, we take a look at some key events on the global stage that impact fixed income markets.

Financial conditions

Policy easing has contributed to more supportive financial conditions worldwide, which is one to watch moving into 2020.

In fact, the monetary easing put into effect this year is one of the reasons our chief economist, Shane Oliver, holds some optimism about the global economy for the year to come.

That said, central banks are expected to remain dovish for a period, and in some cases, constrained in their ability to offer further support. The Reserve Bank in Australia, for example, has called on the federal government to introduce fiscal stimulus into the economy.

Growth on the global stage

Economic growth internationally is, as ever, one to watch. Broadly speaking, although monetary policy is set to have an impact, conditions are still soft and the risk of recession lingers.

Further, there are ongoing weak spots of note. For example, there is an increasing risk that trade-induced weaknesses in both Europe and Asia are becoming entrenched. Given time, this may begin to spill over into the United States.

In addition, core inflation has been suppressed, but looks set to be moving slowly higher if growth can rebound globally.

Trade tensions

The fixed income market is also not immune to the knock-on impacts of an event which has had a far-reaching impact on international economies since it began: the US-China trade war.

The political climate in the US, as it heads towards the federal election in 2020, could prompt a short-term breakthrough. US President Donald Trump will be under pressure to keep the economy stable, and progress on trade talks with China would be favourable for his campaign.

Nevertheless, the conflict remains a key risk to watch and monitor for impact.

In focus: the Australian market

No doubt, in a lower-for-longer environment, investors in the Australian market would be questioning the utility of a bond portfolio.

Source: AMP Capital Global Fixed Income team, 30/09/2019.

Granted, Australian bonds will not be able to provide the same defensive attributes that they have historically, given the multi decade falls in yield, but in a world of ever increasing negative yielding debt, Australian bonds continue to offer defensive characteristics. Australian bonds whilst offering a low yield, remain a triple AAA rated, liquid, defensive asset, that is attractive to many of its peers.

Author: Ilan Dekell, Head of Macro Sydney, Australia

Source: AMP Capital 5 Dec 2019

Important notes: While every care has been taken in the preparation of this article, AMP Capital Investors Limited (ABN 59 001 777 591, AFSL 232497) and AMP Capital Funds Management Limited (ABN 15 159 557 721, AFSL 426455) (AMP Capital) makes no representations or warranties as to the accuracy or completeness of any statement in it including, without limitation, any forecasts. Past performance is not a reliable indicator of future performance. This article has been prepared for the purpose of providing general information, without taking account of any particular investor’s objectives, financial situation or needs. An investor should, before making any investment decisions, consider the appropriateness of the information in this article, and seek professional advice, having regard to the investor’s objectives, financial situation and needs. This article is solely for the use of the party to whom it is provided and must not be provided to any other person or entity without the express written consent of AMP Capital.

By the time we sit down for a sun-drenched lunch on Christmas Day, lounge rooms across the country are usually piled high with shreds of wrapping paper, screwed up gift tags and shattered plastic toys. Cue sunset and leftover prawns join soggy crackers, wilted salad and half-eaten lollies in the bin – all wrapped up on pictures of Santa in the plastic tablecloth. When you really think about it, that’s a whole lot of money thrown away as non-recyclable rubbish.

With a few simple tips, it’s possible to host a more eco-friendly Christmas that saves money and unnecessary waste, without skimping on festive cheer. 

1. Shop locally

Supporting local businesses helps to encourage a sustainable local economy. Best of all, you’ll often find eco-friendly, organic products in specialty stores that are unique and handmade with love. Before the big day, buy your fresh food from the farmers’ markets and stock up on homemade goodies – or make them – instead of packaged treats from the supermarket. 

2. Choose gifts that last

We’re all subject to that last-minute rush of buying gifts and the panic that comes with it. Plan a little earlier this year to avoid grabbing shiny things off the shelves to fill stockings. Instead, choose gifts that last or offer experiences. Consider items like houseplants, reusable coffee mugs, wooden games and puzzles or handmade gifts of food, natural beauty products and candles. Buy your loved ones tickets to a concert, lessons in a favourite hobby or make your own gift certificate for a service you’ll do for them. 

3. Rethink wrapping

Wrapping paper is one of the biggest sources of waste each year, so pop that sparkly new roll back down and consider other options. Start collecting reusable gift boxes, use festive scraps of old material, make brown recycled paper look fancy with your craft skills or wrap a gift inside another gift of a scarf or shirt. 

4. Decorate with nature

If you have toddlers, cats or even guests who’ve had one too many beers in the sun, plastic Christmas trees and fragile decorations may not survive to see the next one. Keep it green by sourcing a tree from sustainable forestry systems. Or, simply buy a potted shrub or tree with the aim to replant it after the celebrations. Use pine cones, frangipanis, nuts, fruit or twisty twigs for table displays. It’s amazing what you can find in the backyard when you look closely. 

5. Create a meal plan

There’s nothing worse than hosting a celebration and feeling like you won’t have enough food for everyone. But, seriously, has that ever happened on Christmas Day? To avoid wastage, write a list and allocate just one dish to each person or family, in categories so that everything’s covered but not repeated. That way, you won’t end up with five pavlovas.

6. Donate unwanted gifts

It’s hard to buy the perfect gift, and many of them end up in the back of the cupboard. Take the opportunity to give back by donating gifts to a charity or regifting them to someone who wants them (it’s not a social taboo, it’s a form of recycling!). 

Every little bit helps in the long run, towards a sustainable future. Plus, you’ll find there’s a lot less cleaning up and a lot more money left in your wallet heading into the new year. 

This provides general information and hasn’t taken your circumstances into account. Any links have been provided with permission for information purposes only and will take you to external websites, which are not connected to our company in any way. Note: Our company does not endorse and is not responsible for the accuracy of the contents/information contained within the linked site(s) accessible from this page. 

You’re so close. You were diligent in making additional contributions to your super when it made sense and have saved enough in your fund of choice. You have created a realistic retirement budget. You dream of more days at the beach, turning into a grey nomad, with none, zero, nada, office commitments.

To increase the odds that your retirement fantasy matches the reality consider these three simple questions:

Start with three simple questions:

• Have you got enough?
• Have you had enough?
• Do you have enough to do?

Assuming the answer is yes to all three then complete a few important steps before you bid farewell to work. Our pre-retirement checklist can guide you through this process.

As with longer-term retirement planning, this process need not eat up days of time. You should be able to complete most of it in an afternoon, or in small chunks spread out over several days.

Somewhere from two years to six months before your retirement morning tea or farewell drinks, schedule time to start ticking items off this list so that they don’t intrude on your days at the beach or with the grandkids.

1) Know how you plan to spend your time in retirement. The idea of not working appeals to many people, but some retirees miss being busy and socialising with others. To prepare for this possibility, check out possible part-time work or volunteer opportunities. Drop by the local community organisation, community garden or other social outlets. Look into taking a class or learning a new skill or finally expanding that passion/hobby to the next level. Make some plans to fill your days.

2) Go to the doctor for a checkup. Review your health insurance and match your health needs to your coverage.

3) Revisit your financial plan. Have you saved enough to fund your planned retirement lifestyle now it is much more in focus? Do you have an emergency fund? Does your asset allocation match your required return and risk tolerance?

4) Check whether you are eligible for the age pension or any other payments and services from the Australian Government. You can apply for the age pension three months before you plan to retire.

5) Review your super statements and look for lost or unclaimed super.

6) Create or make needed changes to your will, enduring power of attorney and advance health directive. Pay special attention to beneficiaries so that your money goes to the intended person.

7) Decide how and when you will access your super. You may access your super when you reach preservation age, which ranges from 55 to 60, depending on when you were born. You may take your super as a lump sum, a regular pension, or a combination of both. For more information on these decisions, you may want to read this guide from the Australian Securities & Investment Commission.

Following these steps can allow you to head into retirement with confidence and the necessary information to design the post-work life you desire.

Source: Vanguard Australia December 2019

Written by Robin Bowerman, Head of Corporate Affairs at Vanguard.

Reproduced with permission of Vanguard Investments Australia Ltd

Vanguard Investments Australia Ltd (ABN 72 072 881 086 / AFS Licence 227263) is the product issuer. We have not taken yours and your clients’ circumstances into account when preparing this material so it may not be applicable to the particular situation you are considering. You should consider your circumstances and our Product Disclosure Statement (PDS) or Prospectus before making any investment decision. You can access our PDS or Prospectus online or by calling us. This material was prepared in good faith and we accept no liability for any errors or omissions. Past performance is not an indication of future performance.

© 2019 Vanguard Investments Australia Ltd. All rights reserved.

Important:
Any information provided by the author detailed above is separate and external to our business and our Licensee. Neither our business nor our Licensee takes any responsibility for any action or any service provided by the author.

Any links have been provided with permission for information purposes only and will take you to external websites, which are not connected to our company in any way. Note: Our company does not endorse and is not responsible for the accuracy of the contents/information contained within the linked site(s) accessible from this page.

At its meeting today, the Board decided to leave the cash rate unchanged at 0.75 per cent.

The outlook for the global economy remains reasonable. While the risks are still tilted to the downside, some of these risks have lessened recently. The US–China trade and technology disputes continue to affect international trade flows and investment as businesses scale back spending plans because of the uncertainty. At the same time, in most advanced economies unemployment rates are low and wages growth has picked up, although inflation remains low. In China, the authorities have taken steps to support the economy while continuing to address risks in the financial system.

Interest rates are very low around the world and a number of central banks have eased monetary policy over recent months in response to the downside risks and subdued inflation. Expectations of further monetary easing have generally been scaled back. Financial market sentiment has continued to improve and long-term government bond yields are around record lows in many countries, including Australia. Borrowing rates for both businesses and households are at historically low levels. The Australian dollar is at the lower end of its range over recent times.

After a soft patch in the second half of last year, the Australian economy appears to have reached a gentle turning point. The central scenario is for growth to pick up gradually to around 3 per cent in 2021. The low level of interest rates, recent tax cuts, ongoing spending on infrastructure, the upswing in housing prices and a brighter outlook for the resources sector should all support growth. The main domestic uncertainty continues to be the outlook for consumption, with the sustained period of only modest increases in household disposable income continuing to weigh on consumer spending. Other sources of uncertainty include the effects of the drought and the evolution of the housing construction cycle.

The unemployment rate has been steady at around 5¼ per cent over recent months. It is expected to remain around this level for some time, before gradually declining to a little below 5 per cent in 2021. Wages growth is subdued and is expected to remain at around its current rate for some time yet. A further gradual lift in wages growth would be a welcome development and is needed for inflation to be sustainably within the 2–3 per cent target range. Taken together, recent outcomes suggest that the Australian economy can sustain lower rates of unemployment and underemployment.

Inflation is expected to pick up, but to do so only gradually. In both headline and underlying terms, inflation is expected to be close to 2 per cent in 2020 and 2021.

There are further signs of a turnaround in established housing markets. This is especially so in Sydney and Melbourne, but prices in some other markets have also increased recently. In contrast, new dwelling activity is still declining and growth in housing credit remains low. Demand for credit by investors is subdued and credit conditions, especially for small and medium-sized businesses, remain tight. Mortgage rates are at record lows and there is strong competition for borrowers of high credit quality.

The easing of monetary policy this year is supporting employment and income growth in Australia and a return of inflation to the medium-term target range. The lower cash rate has put downward pressure on the exchange rate, which is supporting activity across a range of industries. It has also boosted asset prices, which in time should lead to increased spending, including on residential construction. Lower mortgage rates are also boosting aggregate household disposable income, which, in time, will boost household spending.

Given these effects of lower interest rates and the long and variable lags in the transmission of monetary policy, the Board decided to hold the cash rate steady at this meeting while it continues to monitor developments, including in the labour market. The Board also agreed that due to both global and domestic factors, it was reasonable to expect that an extended period of low interest rates will be required in Australia to reach full employment and achieve the inflation target. The Board is prepared to ease monetary policy further if needed to support sustainable growth in the economy, full employment and the achievement of the inflation target over time.

Source: Reserve Bank of Australia, December 3rd, 2019

Enquiries

Media and Communications
Secretary’s Department
Reserve Bank of Australia
SYDNEY

Phone: +61 2 9551 9720
Fax: +61 2 9551 8033

Email: rbainfo@rba.gov.au

Making an extra voluntary contribution now might improve your lifestyle once you retire.

A new year’s as good a time as any to make plans. How about a gift to your future self by maximising your retirement contributions?

It’s not as far-fetched or self-absorbed as it might seem.

If you think of this as investing in your future self or your loved ones, it could make good sense. We’re used to spending on education and training, which are also investments in tomorrow. And which really matters more, upgrading to a flashier car today, or buying a jetpack* a few years down the line?

There’s no time like tomorrow

There are a number of ways you can contribute more to your super, to take advantage of time and the magic of compound interest.

These include salary sacrificing, and a range of tax-deductible, spouse and downsizer contributions, as well as government co-contributions.

Things to keep in mind

What you do right now affects how well you can live in future. So, before you decide to gift your future self, think carefully about the right course for you.

If you’re thinking about making extra contributions towards your retirement, make sure you’re across the super contribution rules.

For instance, if you go over the super contribution limits, additional tax and penalties may apply.

Remember that the value of your investment in super can go up and down. Before making extra contributions, make sure you understand and are comfortable with any potential risks.

The government sets general rules about when you can access your super, which means you typically won’t be able to access your super until you retire. If you’re over 65 and making contributions, you generally need to satisfy work test requirements and be under age 75.

Extra contributions may also affect any rainy day savings you set aside for emergencies, so do your homework before you commit to your future self.

If you’re in a position to engage professional help, you might also talk to us on |PHONE| about what’s right for you.

The not-so-silly season

Many of the presents we buy for ourselves and loved ones date quickly – that new smartphone isn’t new for long. Increasing retirement contributions may delay gratification but pay dividends down the line.

If you have some years to go before you retire, you may even be able to retire sooner if you increase your contributions now.

That gift of time might be the biggest reward of all.

Source : AMP November 2019

Important:
This information is provided by AMP Life Limited. It is general information only and hasn’t taken your circumstances into account. It’s important to consider your particular circumstances and the relevant Product Disclosure Statement or Terms and Conditions, available by calling |PHONE|, before deciding what’s right for you.

All information in this article is subject to change without notice. Although the information is from sources considered reliable, AMP and our company do not guarantee that it is accurate or complete. You should not rely upon it and should seek professional advice before making any financial decision. Except where liability under any statute cannot be excluded, AMP and our company do not accept any liability for any resulting loss or damage of the reader or any other person.