Within the next two decades, the entire US population will move into China’s cities. Alright, not the US population, per se. But 350 million Chinese will leave behind their rural life in a move expected to provide a massive impetus to China’s urban economy.1
China is not alone. All across the developing world, cities are acting as people magnets. The UN forecasts the urban population of Asia will grow by 1.8 billion by 2050, while Africa will see nearly one billion people join city life and 200 million from Latin America and the Caribbean will leave their rural homes behind.2 All up, more than 60% of the world’s population are likely to live in cities by 2030 compared with fewer than one-in-three in 1950.3 Continue reading →
The investment clock is stuck at 7.30, but shares will tick higher again.
Financial markets remain firmly in the grip of the early stages of the Recovery Phase on the Investment Clock, with economic data for most of the first quarter of 2010 showing improvement in business, consumer and GDP growth.
But the Recovery Phase on the Investment Clock can be a slow and gradual process, often punctuated by significant reversals in the sharemarket indicating that sentiment remains extremely fragile. It can often take five to seven years to move from the bottom of the Recovery Phase at 6 o’clock to the top of the Boom Phase at 12 o’clock. Continue reading →
Auction clearance rates continued to ease again last week with the weighted average auction clearance rate recorded at 62.7% and represents the fourth week in a row where weighted average clearance rates sat below 70%. Melbourne’s auction clearance fell further last week to 68.8%. Sydney’s auction clearance rates also fell further during the week and are now recorded at 62.1% Continue reading →
There certainly has been a marked increase in volatility on the share market in recent weeks. In March the All Ordinaries either rose or fell more than 1% on just two trading days in the month. Continue reading →
The RP Data Research Analysts have compiled 24 graphs focused on the Australian Property Market. Included in the presentation are graphs showing Median House and Unit Prices, Annual Change in Dwelling Values and National Capital Growth and Sales Volume.
Click here to download the presentation.
There is no question that Aussie consumers started 2010 in fine spirits. However, three rate hikes in a row, together with the government’s response to the Henry Review, a weaker share market and the fall in the Aussie dollar have taken their toll on consumer confidence. Subsequently, confidence levels have recorded a 7% fall in May – the biggest monthly percentage fall since October 2008, a period that marks the height of the global financial crisis. Continue reading →
Some simple housekeeping can make sure you take advantage of all the tax benefits you are entitled to.
Investors have faced trying times during the past two years and could be forgiven for tossing dividend and distribution statements into the bottom drawer and forgetting them.
With the end of financial year fast approaching, it’s time to tidy that paperwork and think about your tax return.
Here are 10 tips to help you along the way: Continue reading →
Auction clearance rates remained strong last week with a weighted average clearance rate throughout the capital cities of 71.7%, with almost 1,900 auctions during the week. Melbourne clearance rates were recorded at 79.4%, the 12th consecutive week of clearance rates above 75%. In Sydney, clearance rates sat at a healthy 73%. Continue reading →
Demand for home loans dropped for a sixth straight month in March, suggesting rising interest rates were already biting prior to the last two rate increases… Continue reading →
House prices in south-west Sydney.
Yes, Virginia, Australia does suffer housing bubbles that burst but, no, Dr Keen, they don’t do it in the Armageddon fashion you imagine. There is enough pain in the reality though to make punters wary of promised riches. Continue reading →
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