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Lingering distrust over last year’s data breach made Optus the most distrusted brand in Australia in the year through June and confirmed falling trust for telecoms, while retailers Woolworths and Coles again topped the most-trusted list.

Much of the 2.4 per cent decline in global wealth in 2022 – the second-biggest this century – stemmed from US dollar appreciation, but even controlling for exchange rates it was the slowest wealth increase since the GFC, UBS and Credit Suisse said in a new report. But global wealth inequality fell, as richer countries took the biggest hit.

Despite continuing strong economic data for Australia, markets have forecast significant earnings downgrades, and results have been mixed so far. But a main highlight – CBA’s record $10 billion profit – may not be enough to improve investors’ outlook on the banking sector, analysts say.

Switching to a sustainable pension fund is one of the most effective ways to reduce a person’s carbon footprint, with no performance tradeoff required. As the need for climate solutions grows more urgent, the momentum for environmentally friendly investment options in Australia’s $3.5 trillion super sector is gathering pace.

Governor Philip Lowe acknowledged some missteps in the central bank’s strategy on inflation during his tenure and said while the inflation target is now in view, further rate hikes may still be necessary to complete the bank’s important task.

With reporting season already revealing earnings misses, valuation pullbacks are creating opportunities in high-quality small caps, according to DNR Capital’s Sam Twidale. Investors should look through short-term risk and select from sectors where fear and uncertainty prompt mispricings.

Focussing on a concentrated portfolio of quality and growing stocks can expose investors to strong profit growth and some of the best companies in the world, Claremont Global’s Bob Desmond said at the Inside Network’s recent Investment Leaders Forum. It just requires thinking through the noise and understanding a company’s culture.

With deteriorating economic conditions dampening the banking outlook, some trading momentum may be leaving the sector after a strong two-month run. Six in 10 trades of big-four banks on the Selfwealth platform in July were sell orders, and headwinds are only picking up from here.

Slowing inflation, peaking interest rates and a renewed interest in companies with consistent earnings have sparked a rotation back into quality names in 2023. Sustainable investment strategies lend themselves to these types of businesses, according to Australian Ethical, which also sees a “massive gust of tailwind” from the net-zero push.

A BlackRock bitcoin ETF could add an extra $100 million in daily demand for the cryptocurrency, pumping up the price. If US regulators approve the product as expected, analysts expect big tailwinds for the entire crypto ecosystem.

Analysis of June trading by Selfwealth platform users with portfolios of more than $1 million showed clear patterns in how different generations prefer to invest, with Baby Boomers seeking income and quality while Millennials and Gen X-ers prefer exposure to the clean-energy transition and ETFs.

The regulator said it wasn’t satisfied the deal would not substantially lessen competition in Australian banking, particularly in home loans and small-business banking. ANZ and Suncorp plan to challenge the decision.