News

Australia’s trade surplus hit a record high of $15.97 billion in May 2022 from April’s $13.25 billion and higher than a consensus forecast of $10.73 billion. The surprise rise in exports came on the back of rising global demand and soaring commodity prices.

Robotics of the future will make life easier for humanity, creating more room for optimism than despair.

Australia and New Zealand Banking Group will become the third largest domestic home lender after acquiring the banking division of competitor Suncorp Group Ltd for $4.9 billion.

By following a simple practice known as dollar-cost averaging to buy shares or managed funds, investors can build holdings in assets in a non-emotional and disciplined way.

Following the re-opening of global markets post-Covid, there was a sudden change in macro-economic conditions caused by massive stimulus spending and supply constraints. Central bankers were caught asleep at the wheel, while inflation was surging in the background.

Leading global private investments firm Northleaf Capital Partners has made a tilt into the lucrative mobile tower infrastructure sector. Northleaf purchased a 40 percent stake in Aotearoa Towers Limited, a mobile tower infrastructure business, from Vodafone New Zealand Limited.

Leading Australian investment and wealth management app, Pearler, has closed a seed funding round raising $7.8m led by Portage Ventures, Archangel Ventures and Ten13.

The technology sector has been the best performing sector since the GFC, returning over 300 percent since December 2008. The question is, where is tech likely to go over the next 6-12 months?

Citing macroeconomic and market conditions, Zip Co Limited and Sezzle Inc have mutually agreed to terminate their previously announced merger.

Following the Reserve Bank of Australia’s decision to increase the cash rate by 50 basis point in June and July, a slowdown in the property market has been accelerated. According to some experts, shares in the big banks are vulnerable to a slowing housing market. But others say the big banks are undervalued and could benefit from expanding interest rate margins in the months ahead.

Fraudsters are using new and evolved tactics to target a change in consumer behaviour brought on by the pandemic. One Australian bank has taken up the challenge to catch fraudsters at their own game.

For Australian investors, the value of fully franked dividends will play a bigger part in client portfolios as dividend payments return to pre-pandemic levels. But that all depends on whether Australia has a soft or hard landing.