Archive for 'Global Scene'
Election Year Blues?
Posted on 11. Mar, 2010 by Chris Lang.
It’s not just rising interest rates that the Rudd government will have to contend with, in the run-up to the next election.
The joy of the resources boom restarting brings with it certain unwanted side effects. What you will start to see is wage rate increases; plus the drawing away of materials and equipment, from other […]
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Was the RBA Asleep at the Wheel?
Posted on 04. Mar, 2010 by Chris Lang.
In fact, the RBA has been cautious … NOT asleep!
Last week, we covered the statistical anomaly relating to Australia’s low unemployment figure. And that may well have influenced the RBA in holding rates steady last month.
Although, the patchy spending in December and January probably coloured their thinking as well.
Nonetheless, you continue to see a […]
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"Statistics Never Lie, or Do They?"
Posted on 25. Feb, 2010 by Chris Lang.
There are some interesting outcomes emerging from a wash-up of the recent financial turmoil.
Australia has fared best among the Western countries, with its unemployment rate at only 5.3% and falling. But does this now mean you’ll start to see wage pressures emerging?
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What about the Baby-Boomer Effect?
Posted on 02. Feb, 2010 by Chris Lang.
Yesterday, the Federal government released Australia’s third Intergenerational Report.
And about five years ago, I came out with a somewhat startling statement:
“If you haven’t sold your traditional family home by 2010 … you had better be prepared to hold it until 2025 — because there simply won’t be a market for it!”
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Your Opportunities Moving Forward?
Posted on 21. Jan, 2010 by Chris Lang.
There has been much written already about the global financial crisis.
But in layman’s terms, it occurred as a result of capital imbalances occurring throughout the world. And nowhere more so, than in America.
The principal cause can be found with the high levels of US debt-funded consumption. And in order to better understand this distortion, you […]
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Biggest Economic Threat For Australia
Posted on 13. Jan, 2010 by Chris Lang.
It might surprise you to hear this, however …
A Strong US Recovery
… would probably be the worst thing to happen for Australia in 2010.
If that occurs, the US Federal Reserve would be forced to quickly raise interest rates, from zero to around 3%. And that would cause the collapse in the Australian dollar from its […]
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Australian Commercial Property
Is Runnning Its Own Race
Posted on 16. Oct, 2009 by Chris Lang.
Unlike the US and Europe, Australia has not suffered a banking crisis. Therefore, our banking system is still capable of providing credit for normal growth.
With the US unemployment rate approaching 10%, this will delay any quick turnaround for the Commercial property sector.
s you would expect, there is a strong correlation between high unemployment, tenancy contractions […]
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It’s both Good News … and Bad News!
Posted on 31. Aug, 2009 by Chris Lang.
overnment statistics show that business investment rose by 3.3% during the three months to June — most of it accounted for by a massive 20% surge in Victoria.
This increase is the latest confirmation that Australia has entered its recovery phase — emerging from the global turmoil, without experiencing a technical recession.
But what does this mean?
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Keep Your Eye on Inflation!
Posted on 28. Jul, 2009 by Chris Lang.
Australia is supposed to be in the midst of a recession; and yet, underlying inflation is still running at 4% per annum.
If that’s the best we can do … what levels will inflation finally reach, once the economy moves into its recovery phase?
Strong sales have seen retailers cutting prices less than expected. And generally, other […]
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Sentiment is Strong … Despite the Economy
Posted on 10. Jul, 2009 by Chris Lang.
These graphs are painting a very encouraging picture.
As you can see, the Westpac-Melbourne Institute consumer sentiment index increased strongly by 9.5% for June.
And that means it has now leapt by some 23% since May — the largest 2-month increase for over 30 years.
First-home buyers have also been active, accounting for nearly 30% of […]
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Depreciation : 4 Myths Keeping You From
Maximising Your Secret Tax Advantage
Posted on 03. Jun, 2009 by Chris Lang.
Depreciation is probably the most under-used weapon to legitimately shelter a significant portion of your property income.
And as a Commercial Investor, you really do have an unfair advantage over somebody investing in only residential property.
Therefore, let’s now set about dispelling a few of the common Myths concerning Depreciation.
