BT Market Insights

Caton's US Corner 15 June 2013

Fri, 15 Jun 2013 15:45:00 +1000

Continued angst about tapering caused the market to soften and the FOMC meeting this week seems guaranteed to create further volatility.

Housing Finance - April 2013

Tue, 11 Jun 2013 13:10:00 +1000

The housing recovery continues to edge its way forward. Lower rates are helping the recovery to get some traction, but the process is slower than usual.

Caton's US Corner 8 June 2013

Fri, 8 Jun 2013 15:45:00 +1000

The economy's recovering at a modest pace that would not mandate the early "tapering" of QE; the share market managed to finish in the black after a two-week losing streak.

Caton's Corner June 2013

Mon, 3 Jun 2013 14:15:00 +1000

The US share market managed to rise despite a late wobble when analysts fretted about a possible "taper" in the Federal Reserve's policy of quantitative easing.

Financial Planners now need to earn their titles

Mon, 3 Jun 2013 13:10:00 +1000

Legal changes to how Financial Advisers can describe themselves are going through Parliament. Find out what this means for you.

Caton's US Corner 1 June 2013

Fri, 1 Jun 2013 15:45:00 +1000

A jittery week, with the share market not sure if it should fall in response to weak news, or rally because such news may delay any Fed taper.

Caton's US Corner 24 May 2013

Thu, 24 May 2013 15:45:00 +1000

A remarkably quiet week on the US economic front is an unusual but good thing, says Chris Caton, BT Economist.

Is the market rally over?

Fri, 24 May 2013 15:10:00 +1000

The ASX 200 has now fallen on each of the past four days, by a total of more than 4%. Is this the end of the extraordinary rally that began in mid-2012? Almost certainly not.

Caton's US Corner 17 May 2013

Mon, 20 May 2013 15:45:00 +1000

There had been more upside than downside surprises in the US economic data, causing some loss of traction in the "spring slowdown" story.

Federal Budget 2013

Wed, 15 May 2013 06:00:00 +1000

A sober budget for election year: changes to super, Medicare Levy up, Baby Bonus gone.

Caton's Corner May 2013

Thu, 9 May 2013 14:15:00 +1000

The share market got "back on track" in April, ASX up 4.5%, 11.7% year-to-date, and the S&P500 index up 1.8%, 12% year-to-date.

What's causing sharemarket volatility?

Wed, 17 Apr 2013 9:00:00 +1000

Stock market volatility is still present in investment markets. Learn what is happening and why.

Caton's Corner April 2013

Mon, 8 Apr 2013 16:00:00 +1000

The share market fell in March, for just the second month since last June. The ASX200 declined by 2.7% but remains up 6.8% for the year to date.

Proposed reforms to Superannuation

Fri, 5 Apr 2013 16:30:00 +1100

The Federal Government announced today proposals to reform the Superannuation system.

Caton's Corner March 2013

Fri, 1 Mar 2013 11:30:00 +1100

The ASX 200 index rose by 4.6%, year to date 9.8%, the best start to a calendar year in the 20-year history of the ASX 200.

Caton's Corner February 2013

Fri, 1 Feb 2013 11:30:00 +1100

Share markets began 2013 in fine fettle. For the month of January, the S&P 500 index advanced by 5%, to its highest monthly close since October 2007.

Caton's Corner January 2013

Tue, 8 Jan 2013 11:30:00 +1100

2012 was a good year for the share market in particular and investment markets in general. The S&P500 index rose by 13.4%. Global shares rose by 16.9% for the year, including dividends.

Biggest share trading trend in 2012

Mon, 17 December 2012 12:20:00 +1000

Chris Tate, Product Manager Broking, discusses the biggest share trading trend in 2012.

Share trading tips for the holiday season

Mon, 10 December 2012 12:20:00 +1000

Chris Tate, Product Manager Broking, discusses share trading tips for the holiday season.

Caton's Corner December 2012

Mon, 10 December 2012 12:20:00 +1000

Share markets had a mixed month. The ASX200 had a strong final week, but still finished down by 0.2% for November as a whole. This was just the second negative month of the year to date.

3 ways to protect your share portfolio

Mon, 03 December 2012 12:20:00 +1000

James Staltari, Head of Broking, provides insights on 3 ways to protect your share portfolio.

When can I access my super?

Mon, 26 November 2012 12:20:00 +1000

Bryan Ashenden, Head of Technical Consulting, discusses when you can access your super.

Common mistakes investors make trading

Mon, 19 November 2012 12:20:00 +1000

James Staltari, Head of Broking, provides insights on the most common mistakes investors make trading.

How much insurance do I need?

Mon, 19 November 2012 12:20:00 +1000

Bryan Ashenden, Head of Technical Consulting, discusses how much insurance you may need.

How to begin trading shares

Tue, 13 November 2012 12:20:00 +1000

James Staltari, Head of Broking, provides insights on how to begin trading shares.

Super for the self-employed

Tue, 13 November 2012 12:20:00 +1000

Bryan Ashenden, Head of Technical Consulting, discusses contributing to super when you're self employed.

Caton's Corner November 2012

Tue, 6 November 2012 12:20:00 +1000

Share markets had a mixed month. The ASX200 rose by 3%, finishing at 4517, its highest month-end close since June 2011. It has now risen in nine of the ten months so far this year, to be up by a total of 11.3%.

Caton's Corner October 2012

Tue, 09 October 2012 12:20:00 +1000

September was yet another positive month for share markets. In the month, the Australian share market, as measured by the ASX200, advanced by 1.6%.

The skinny on Transition to Retirement

Mon, 08 October 2012 12:20:00 +1000

Louise Stark, Technical Manger Superannuation, looks at what this strategy is, who can use the strategy and how it can help people in different circumstances prepare for retirement.

Concessional contribution caps

Fri, 28 September 2012 09:20:00 +1000

The concessional contributions cap recently dropped for people who are aged 50 and over. Listen to how it affects you.

Margin calling during volatility

Mon, 17 September 2012 09:20:00 +1000

What happens at the BTFG Contact Centre during times of volatility.

Weather forecasting market returns

Mon, 10 September 2012 09:20:00 +1000

Rainfall and sunshine has a real effect on the stock market - not just on the stocks actually affected but on the stockmarket's trading patterns.

Caton's Corner - September 2012

Tue, 04 September 2012 16:40:00 +1000

August has, to date been another reasonable month for the share market. The Australian share market showed a rise of 2.7% for the month to date, while the US share market was up by 2.3%

What do people call us about?

Mon, 03 September 2012 09:20:00 +1000

What do clients want to know when they call the contact centre during market volatility?

The role of cash in a portfolio

Mon, 27 August 2012 09:20:00 +1000

Investors and advisers are still choosing to focus on cash in their portfolios and for many it's a good strategic play.

Passionate about business

Mon, 20 August 2012 09:20:00 +1000

Watch someone who is passionate about a business with a very good purpose behind it. We should never forget that good and bad things happen along the way to reaching our goals, purpose and plans.

What price for good advice?

Mon, 13 August 2012 09:20:00 +1000

Good advice costs money - clients understand the need for advice, and where to go to get advice but not how much it costs or what they're actually paying for.

Caton's Corner - August 2012

Fri, 10 August 2012 09:40:00 +1000

The Australian market has now risen in 6 of the 7 months of the calendar year, but a very poor May means that the overall gain has been limited to 5.4%.

Irrational effects on the stock market

Tue, 07 August 2012 09:20:00 +1000

Why do men produce worse results than women when given the same portfolio to trade? How does mood affect stock prices?

Finding your lost super

Mon, 30 July 2012 09:20:00 +1000

BT Financial Group is looking for lost super - starting first with employees. Employees of any age, in any role and with any super balance were targeted and found amounts up to $20,000 that they didn't know they had.

Better than Lotto - find your lost super

Mon, 30 July 2012 09:20:00 +1000

The ATO estimates the total of lost super in Australia is at $17.4 billion.

Bonds or shares... diversity is best

Mon, 23 July 2012 09:20:00 +1000

Bonds bring balance and certainty to an investment portfolio and have attributes that are especially valuable in uncertain times.

Caton's Corner - July 2012

Wed, 4 Jul 2012 09:40:00 +1000

Investors will look back on financial year 2011/2012 with chagrin; a year dominated by concerns about Europe, the ASX 200 falling 13% in the first three months.

Caton's Corner - June 2012

Fri, 1 Jun 2012 09:40:00 +1000

The share market had its first negative month so far this year. The ASX 200 fell by 7.3%, the worst month in two years, and is now up by just 0.5% for the year to date.

Federal Budget 2012/2013

Wed, 09 May 2012 08:10:00 +1000

Last night's Federal Budget 2012/2013 was back to black. There were changes to income tax, small business tax, superannuation, and family benefits. There was also some focus on aged care, health services and education.

Better Investor Autumn 2012

Fri, 4 May 2012 09:00:00 +1000

BT's latest Better Investor magazine has a range of articles which provide you with the insights required for better investing.

Market Outlook - A tale of two economies

Wed, 18 Apr 2012 12:00:00 +1000

BT Investment Management's Joe Bracken shares his insights on the global and Australian economy.

Caton's Corner - April 2012

Mon, 2 Apr 2012 09:40:00 +1000

March was yet another positive month for share markets. The ASX 200 rose by 0.9% in the month, to record an increase of 6.9% for the first quarter of the year.

How to confidently have enough super

Tue, 28 Mar 2012 02:30:00 +1000

Here are some ways to boost your superannuation and regain your confidence in having enough money to retire.

Super takes the next step to 12%

Tue, 20 Mar 2012 02:30:00 +1000

The federal government's Mineral Resources Rent Tax (MRRT) was passed by the Senate last night, paving the way for a 12% superannuation guarantee by 2020.

Caton's Corner - March 2012

Thu, 1 Mar 2012 09:40:00 +1000

This is the best start to the calendar year since 1994; the US market, as measured by the S&P500 index, advanced by 4.4%, the best January result since 1997.

Caton's Corner - February 2012

Wed, 1 Feb 2012 09:40:00 +1000

This is the best start to the calendar year since 1994; the US market, as measured by the S&P500 index, advanced by 4.4%, the best January result since 1997.

Three views on 2012

Tue, 10 Jan 2012 10:00:00 +1000

Joe Bracken, BT Investment Management Head of Macro Strategies, Besa Deda, St.George Chief Economist and Patrick Farrell, Advance Head of Investment Solutions each have their own views on how the Australian and global economies will go over 2012.

Caton's Corner - January 2012

Fri, 6 Jan 2012 09:40:00 +1000

Few investors will be sad to see the end of 2011. It was a very difficult year, which promised quite a bit early on and then disappointed badly.