Insights

Can Government Bonds Continue to Act as Defensive Investments? Government bond markets are now at the precipice of a paradigm shift. Unprecedented global fiscal stimulus. Extreme monetary policy experiments. Yields at multi-century lows. In combination, these factors fundamentally change the risk vs. reward proposition of government bonds. So much so, they...

Returns on investments just keep getting lower. As cashed-up investors look to alternative investments, fixed income funds have been beneficiaries. Fortunately, some funds have been sympathetic to investors’ plight and the need for income and dropped fees accordingly. However, others persist with a high fee agenda, are the fees worth...

At first glance the proposed new changes to small business insolvency and liquidation seem positive, but who lends to the businesses and how do they raise funding? It soon becomes apparent that the changes will impact more than just small businesses. With modest fanfare, the government announced changes to the...

Last week we saw the Australian government come out with a massive stimulus package that will push Australia’s net debt to almost $1 trillion as it fights to protect jobs and the economy.  If we turn our attention to the US, it looks like agreement between the democrats and...

Introduction The challenges humanity faces have never been more important than now. We are in the middle of an environmental transition that requires significant investments both in Australia and globally.  Australian investors are keen to play a role in financing this transition, however, need to solve the challenge of investing in...

Yields on investments are still declining. In the last few weeks, neo banks Judo and Volt have cut deposit rates. Judo’s one year term deposit rate has dropped from 1.41 to 1.23 per cent, still well out in front of the major banks, but it goes to show just how...

Frank Uhlenbruch, Investment Strategist in the Janus Henderson Australian Fixed Interest team, provides his Australian economic analysis and market outlook. Market Review Risk appetite surged on positive vaccine announcements and allowed markets to look through surging European and US COVID-19 infection rates. Equity markets roared ahead, delivering double digit returns in...

KPMG analysis finds that the Australian major banks (‘the Majors’) have reported a significant decline in financial performance for the full financial year 2020. KPMG’s Major Australian Banks Full Year Analysis Report 2020 finds that the Majors reported a combined cash profit after tax from continuing operations of $17.4 billion,...

A Biden win in the US presidential election, and vaccines with 90% plus efficacy have lifted financial markets and sentiment has changed to a ‘risk on’ mentality. All boats rise on an incoming tide, including high yield bonds. Purchases in the US to the week ending 11 November were US$3.3...

Frank Uhlenbruch, Investment Strategist in the Janus Henderson Australian Fixed Interest team, provides his Australian economic analysis and market outlook. Market Review Renewed COVID-19 outbreaks across the globe and a lift in geo-political tensions saw risk appetite wane. Equity markets were weaker, inflation expectations declined and there was some widening in...