Sidra Capital, a prominent alternative investments manager from Saudi Arabia, has made headlines with the launch of a new private credit investment fund targeting Australia's thriving mining and energy industries. The Sharia-compliant fund, known as the Sidra Asia Pacific Private Investments Sub-Fund I, will be headquartered in Singapore and managed by Sidra's local team there. - read more
The imposition of US tariffs under former President Donald Trump's administration is predicted to challenge Australia's publicly listed fund managers, according to analysis by research and ratings firm Morningstar. Shaun Ler, an equity analyst with Morningstar, suggests that these financial entities might experience a gradual decline in earnings over the medium term due to reduced cyclical benefits from interest rate cuts and increased market volatility. - read more
In a landmark moment for Sydney's real estate market, the city’s median asking price for houses has surpassed the $2 million mark, hitting $2,012,000 as of 15 April, according to SQM Research. This figure includes Greater Sydney regions such as the Blue Mountains and Central Coast. The development was confirmed by SQM's managing director, Louis Christopher. - read more
Institutional investors across the globe are largely standing firm despite acknowledging the rising geopolitical risks impacting their portfolios. Recent research by investment consultancy firm Bfinance, involving over 160 institutional investors worldwide, reveals that most entities have not adjusted their strategic investments amidst the current economic turbulence driven by trade conflicts. - read more
Acadian Asset Management, renowned for its quantitative investment strategies, has introduced a new emerging markets equity fund targeting Australian wholesale investors. This fund is meticulously crafted to balance risk without compromising on long-term returns. - read more
The Bank of Queensland, a prominent mid-tier lender, has issued a cautionary note about an anticipated rise in bad loans due to ongoing economic uncertainty. Despite this warning, the bank's shares experienced an unexpected surge. - read more
The Australian Securities and Investments Commission (ASIC) has proposed a new regulatory framework aimed at increasing transparency in the financial industry by identifying financial planning licensees who report breaches. Revealed in a consultation paper, CP 383, this proposal would see ASIC start publishing Reportable Situations (RS) and Internal Dispute Resolution (IDR) data at both firm and industry levels, including the names and licence numbers of the offending companies. - read more
The latest figures from the Australian Bureau of Statistics (ABS) indicate a deepening recession for households, as revealed by the fourth quarter of 2024 national accounts. For the eighth consecutive quarter, real per capita household consumption has declined, marking an unprecedented stagnation for Australian households. - read more
The Australian Securities and Investments Commission (ASIC) has achieved a significant legal milestone with the Federal Court's decision to appoint liquidators to First Guardian Master Fund. Ross Blakeley and Paul Harland from FTI Consulting have been entrusted with this responsibility. The court has mandated that they oversee the liquidation of both Falcon Capital and the First Guardian Master Trust, alongside associated unregistered subsidiary funds. - read more
Last week's announcement of the US's reciprocal tariff policy, dubbed 'Liberation Day' by former President Donald Trump, has led to significant market disruptions worldwide. Although Australia has managed to avoid the harshest direct impacts, the broader ramifications of a global trade conflict have not spared its investors, notably causing the Australian Securities Exchange (ASX) to experience its most substantial single-day decline since the COVID-19 pandemic. - read more
Australian stocks are poised to follow a positive US market trend, with the S&P-ASX200 futures rising by 6.6% after US President Donald Trump's latest tariff adjustment. The S&P 500 gained 9.5% after Trump announced a temporary reprieve from tariffs for various countries, aimed at addressing investor apprehensions regarding the global economic implications of aggressive US trade tactics. - read more
In a bold step forward, WT Financial Group and Merchant Wealth Partners have initiated their strategic partnership by merging three distinct financial advisory firms into one unified entity, under the provisional name Hubco. This move follows closely on the heels of their recently announced joint venture aimed at fostering 'entrepreneurial' financial advisory practices. - read more
The Australian dollar experienced a dramatic day after the announcement of reciprocal tariffs and a baseline 10% tariff applied universally. While the DXY, a measure of the US dollar's performance, saw a decline, the AUD experienced significant volatility. Initial gains were quickly reversed, following the broader turmoil in global markets. - read more
Per Capita, a progressive think tank, has released a report highlighting the challenges faced by young Australians due to stagnant wage growth over the past decade. This economic stagnation has contributed significantly to declining homeownership rates among the youth. - read more
Australian households are experiencing a prolonged economic recession, as per the Australian Bureau of Statistics (ABS) Q4 2024 national accounts. Real per capita household consumption has declined for eight consecutive quarters, illustrating a stagnant trend in consumer spending. - read more
Talaria Asset Management, a boutique investment firm based in Australia, has selected Equity Trustees as the responsible entity for its suite of three global equity funds. The decision encompasses the Talaria Global Equity Fund Complex ETF (TLRA), the Currency Hedged Complex ETF (TLRH), and the Foundation units. This partnership entrusts Equity Trustees with the responsibility of ensuring these funds meet necessary regulatory and compliance standards. - read more
Recent data reveals a continued decline in Australian inflation, providing optimism for the financial sector. The Australian Bureau of Statistics (ABS) and the Melbourne Institute (MI) both reported lower-than-expected inflation rates, with the MI’s trimmed mean inflation reaching its lowest since 2020. This trend, highlighted by Justin Fabo of Antipodean Macro, indicates a return towards pre-2003 averages. - read more
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