News

In a year when many companies cut or even axed their dividends, this real estate investment manager went against the flow, using a strong financial result to reward loyal investors with a seven per cent increase in the annual payout.

A net loss of $185.3 million in the 2024 financial year, coupled with a dividend pause, had Insignia shareholders less than impressed. But the first quarter results for the 2025 financial year have justified the rising share price over the past 10 weeks.

The Productivity Commission estimated $3.5 trillion will pass on to future generations over the next 25 years, with this report illustrating just how that’s playing out now in families across Australia.

An Australian Human Rights Commission study released this week is highly critical of the fourth estate for its coverage of ageing issues, citing a disproportionate focus on tensions between older and younger generations around wealth and finance as one obvious example.

At its kindest, the big end of town sees SMSF investors as enthusiastic amateurs. Not so, says a research report, with the data showing that these funds are demonstrating a maturing investment acumen by using ETFs to access overseas equity, bond and property markets.

A slowing economy has prompted S&P/ASX 200 companies to keep a lion’s share of their earnings by tightening shareholder distributions, with fund manager Martin Currie identifying the resources sector as a real cause for concern regarding future income.

The mix of strong business demand for credit and investors seeking high yields of between eight per cent and 12 percent is underpinning a flurry of private credit fund offerings.

Company results are all about meeting investor expectations. So, despite a falling profit, Telstra shares were in demand yesterday while Cochlear, which posted a 27 per cent increase in earnings, found investors had a tin ear after the group forecast a slower 2025.

New AMP research questions the assumption that the younger generation is anxiously waiting to inherit from their retired parents. Instead, they are looking to forge their own financial futures.

Speakers including Jon Glass and Bec Wilson discussed what it means to retire and how best to enjoy the golden years at this exclusive Wattle Partners retirement event.

A tight labour market and sticky inflation suggests that the Reserve Bank is not about to cut the cash rate. Indeed, it’s more likely the bank will lift it again – good news for those with cash and term deposits.

The UK Government is not known for being a soft touch, but until April 2025 it is offering some Australians who have worked in the UK money for jam in the form of a pension top-up.