Japan’s new Prime Minister Ishiba Shigeru has had a rapid-fire introduction to financial markets, sending Japanese stocks and the currency on a rollercoaster ride following some seemingly conflicting comments. After such a rocky start, what policy…

Global investors are convinced 2024 will be the year the Bank of Japan (BOJ) finally “normalizes” policy and hikes interest rates above zero. Making the wrong bet could cost the nation dearly. Negative interest rates have been a hallmark of Japanese…

Japan’s newly nominated central bank governor, Ueda Kazuo, faces a baptism of fire when he takes the reins of the world’s third-largest economy in April. With the market already signaling an end to Abenomics’ ultra-easy monetary policy, any missteps…

Asia’s big economies failed to roar during 2022, weighed down by the continuing COVID-19 pandemic and resulting self-imposed restrictions on economic activity, together with rising interest rates and slowing growth globally. Amid an increasingly…

West Texas Intermediate (WTI) crude closed at US$104 a barrel last Thursday, taking the two-week losses to 16 per cent, just short of bear market territory. The downturn has been attributed to fears over US recession, while Chinese and Indian buying…

“There’s a hole in your budget, dear Labor,” sang the Coalition’s parody attack ad on the Labor party during Australia’s recent election campaign. Yet the attempted critique of center-left Labor’s economic credentials failed to make an impact with…

Hybrid securities are a popular choice among investors seeking franked income returns, generally higher than those available from regular bonds or cash, and relatively low capital volatility. But with the great bond bull market ending, analysts warn…

The Bloomberg Global Aggregate Index, a benchmark for government and corporate debt, has dived 11% from its January 2021 high. The loss in value is estimated at around US$2.6 trillion (A$3.5 trillion), its worst performance since the US$2 trillion…

While the March 29 federal budget may bring yet more changes for SMSFs, here are some of those already in the pipeline for 2022. Work test A major change effective July 1 is the ability to make non-concessional contributions from the age of 67 to 74…

With that scary warning from the former US president ringing in investors’ ears, should asset allocation be adjusted to handle a world of higher inflation and interest rates? Rising food, electricity and housing costs have pushed US inflation to…

Investors in international tech shares could be forgiven for popping champagne corks to celebrate the past year’s gains. The tech-heavy US Nasdaq composite index gained over 20% in 2021 driven by gains in heavyweights like Alphabet (GOOGL) up almost…

Fortescue Metals (ASX: FMG) chairman Andrew Forrest has extolled the potential of the “miracle molecule” to help decarbonise industrial sectors including power generation and transport. The company’s green energy subsidiary, Fortescue Future…

The latest Australian Taxation Office (ATO) data shows a steady increase in cryptocurrency assets held by SMSFs. As of the September quarter 2021, some $228 million was invested in the asset class, up from $212 million in the June quarter. While…

Asia’s Year of the Ox failed to deliver its promised virtues of diligence and wealth, amid yet another pandemic-hit year. With the Year of the Tiger expected to bring renewed growth and vitality in 2022, The Diplomat examines some potential New…

However, experts caution there are traps for the unwary including the risk of making poor investment decisions, advisory and compliance costs and no government compensation in the event of fraud or theft. Research by StakeSMSF, an offshoot of online…

Twenty-seven of the nation’s biggest SMSFs held more than $100 million each in assets in fiscal 2019, including one as big as $544 million, according to data obtained by the Australian Financial Review. The report highlighted that the biggest funds…

“Kono in charge will see the Nikkei hit 40,000.” That’s the typically fearless prediction of long-time Japan analyst Jesper Koll. With Japanese stocks recently hitting bubble-era highs, the market already appears to have decided on the outcome of the…

The widely reported NSW case of Katz v Grossman (2005) highlights the risks involved. Before his death, Ervin Katz made a non-binding nomination seeking to divide his $1 million SMSF estate equally between his son and daughter. Yet since his daughter…

The latest data shows a return to “normality” and with it the increasing cost of enjoying a “comfortable” retirement, according to the Association of Superannuation Funds of Australia (ASFA). Couples aged around 65 seeking a comfortable retirement…

Here's What You Need to Remember: In May, South Korea’s infrastructure ministry invited bids for possible infrastructure projects in the North, including those concerning the resource sector. It reportedly sees such resources as potentially covering…