What exactly is inflation, and are interest rates the only option for dealing with it?
Just when we thought it was safe to return to the supermarket aisle, it seems inflation has come back to bite us again. Worse, the Reserve Bank of Australia predicts it will linger for longer than previously expected, adding to cost-of-living concerns. So, what is inflation, and what causes it? Do we have to worry […]
Private credit’s third act: Reconnecting with banks
Understanding how market maturity is reshaping private risk credit Private credit has moved from the edge of finance to an established component of the below-investment-grade credit markets. What began in the mid‑2000s as a relatively small and specialised form of nonbank lending has grown into a significant source of financing for small and medium‑sized companies, […]
Does ‘free’ shipping really exist? An expert shares the marketing tricks you need to know
You’re scrolling through an online retailer, like Amazon, Shein or eBay, and spot a shirt on sale for $40. You add it to your cart, but at checkout, a $10 shipping fee suddenly appears. Frustrated, you close the tab. But what if that same shirt was priced at $50 with “free” shipping? The likelihood that […]
Salary sacrificing super
How a salary sacrifice arrangement can be used to make voluntary super contributions. Benefits of salary sacrificing You and your employer can agree on a salary sacrifice arrangement (also known as salary packaging or total remuneration packaging) to exchange part of your salary or wages for benefits of a similar value. You can use a […]
Higher geopolitical risk premiums support commodities
Commodities delivered strong headline returns in 2025. Yet, beneath the surface, this rally was quite uneven—precious metals rose by roughly 80%, while the remainder of the Bloomberg Commodity Index underperformed cash by more than 3%. Less than three months into the new year, the commodities rally may be broadening beyond precious metals to energy and […]
The silent partner in your wealth plan
When you think about building wealth, you may picture investments, property and superannuation. But there’s another critical element: insurance. It’s the silent partner in your financial strategy, quietly working behind the scenes to protect everything you’ve built. Strategic asset allocation is the hallmark of a robust wealth plan, using diverse holdings to build long-term financial […]
Work out how much you need to retire
Discover ways to answer the common question ‘How much do I need to retire?’ Learn about retirement costs How much retirement costs depends on what you want out of retirement, and your individual needs and circumstances. The lifestyle you want may look different to another person’s, so your living costs will be different. For example, […]
Position your portfolio for what’s next
A volatile geopolitical landscape, rapid technological shifts and evolving energy systems are helping to reshape investment returns. As we settle into 2026, the challenge for investors is in understanding and taking advantage of (or avoiding, if necessary) these global trends. The artificial intelligence boom has taken much of the oxygen in the market. The tech […]
Is federal government spending really to blame for higher inflation? It’s not clear cut
There has been a spate of articles and commentary in recently calling on the Australian government to reduce spending. Those calling for government cuts – mostly long-time advocates of smaller government – claim this would lower inflation, and as a consequence, reduce interest rates. In fact, claims that government spending is now a very large […]
Scam alert: Scammers impersonating banks in text messages, phone calls and emails
Background There’s a rise in criminals calling, emailing or messaging people and pretending to be from the bank so that they can steal your money. The scammers ask you for personal or financial information or to transfer funds or to give them a one-time security code over the phone. They often claim to be from […]
