A new International Energy Agency report projects global renewable energy growth in the next five years will match that of the last 20, with renewables also set to overtake coal as the largest electricity source by 2025. Australian investors won’t have to look far to find stocks poised to benefit from this momentum shift.
The corporate regulator reports it has issued 21 stop orders against companies over marketing of financial products since new design and distribution obligations went into effect last October, with the rate of enforcement picking up in recent months.
The RBA is keeping an open mind about a potential central bank digital currency in Australia, including running a pilot eAUD program next year. But many of the arguments in favour of a CBDC fall flat in the Australian context, says Assistant Governor Brad Jones.
The Australian Securities and Investments Commission is making good on promises to combat greenwashing, issuing its second set of fines against a company for misrepresenting the ESG bona fides of an investment product.
Recent research reveals high-net-worth investors have reduced slightly in number since last year while accumulating slightly more investable assets, with this cohort taking a “more subdued outlook” for the coming year. Investors’ asset class preference is also evolving to favour defensive investments.
The need to balance three key and “sometimes-competing” goals in the energy transition is central to the success of global efforts to decarbonise, but the challenge also presents ample room for opportunity, Paul Johnston of Ausbil Asset Management recently told participants at The Inside Network’s industry-first ESG Retreat in Tasmania.
While the greater housing market is already reflecting the pain of constricting economic conditions, a new property fund partnership between Trilogy Funds and Michael Birch’s Murray Darling Capital shows the potential of ‘rent roll’ portfolios of rental property management agreements to provide exposure to the supersized Australian property sector even as the outlook darkens.
The Treasury has released for public consultation draft legislation aimed at closing a tax loophole for off-market share buybacks, prompting renewed fears over the future of franking credits despite assurances that mum-and-dad investors will not be affected.
Sentiment around retirement prospects is declining across the board in Australia, with millionaires almost as likely as less affluent investors to believe it would take a miracle to retire securely. Recent reports highlight the correlation between the new economic uncertainty and reduced confidence in a comfortable retirement.
The US$10 trillion-plus exchange-traded funds market offers low-cost access to diversified investment opportunities, and Australian investors are capitalising, making A$10 billion in returns over the past year.
