Christmas has come early for the bank’s shareholders with the decision to slightly increase the 2024 dividend – despite a single-digit decline in the net profit and cash earnings.
Beating the market benchmark is never easy, with 72 per cent of Australian actively managed global equity general funds trailing the S&P World Index in the six months to June 30, 2024. Domestic equity funds performed slightly better, albeit against a significantly lower bar set by the S&P/ASX 200 Index.
The biggest investment stories of 2022
Anxiety over the direction of share markets emerges as a not-unexpected theme in a review of The Inside Investor‘s most read stories from 2022, as the global transition from the recent era of expansionary monetary policy has created deep and lasting uncertainty. Our top five stories show readers are keen to stay informed on how to navigate the changing investment landscape.
Stories covering major market developments and emerging trends were also well read this past year, with pieces on ANZ’s July announcement of its planned acquisition of Suncorp Bank and on high-conviction investing ranking high. Rounding out the list was a look at The Lottery Corp shares following the company’s demerger from Tabcorp Holdings.
As 2023 begins, several big questions that dominated the past 12 months will continue to loom, not least the trajectory of the Russia-Ukraine war and the strategies central banks will use in their bids to put their economies back on an even keel. Share markets will likely continue to be of interest, while fixed income is tipped to take on a new relevance amid the shifting dynamics.
For now, enjoy a recap of The Inside Investor‘s five most read stories of the past year.
1. Share market tipped to gain in 2023 after fall in 2022
The Australian share market is tipped to fall by up to 9 per cent in 2022 but to rise 5 per cent to 8 per cent over 2023, according to new forecasts from CommSec. While share prices have fallen this year, Australian companies remain well cashed up and profits sit at record highs, which will help to drive gains next year.
2. Your guide to the ANZ, Suncorp deal and capital raising
Australia and New Zealand Banking Group will become the third largest domestic home lender after acquiring the banking division of competitor Suncorp Group Ltd for $4.9 billion.
3. What does High Conviction mean?
Often used to describe a particular type of investment style, conviction is all the rage in equity markets today. But high-conviction investing can create greater risks and does not always deliver the alpha that investors seek.
4. Which stocks made the cut for the ‘recession-proof’ portfolio?
Following two years of heightened volatility, brokers are already out making grand declarations and stock predictions of what will transpire in the new financial year. Macquarie, one of the first to put together its dream portfolio built to survive a recession, believes the bear market we are currently experiencing is split into two parts.
5. Is The Lottery Corp (ASX: TLC) the best ASX dividend share?
Most people will know of The Lottery Corporation Ltd, which was recently listed as a standalone ASX company after being demerged from Tabcorp Holdings. But the company itself is largely misunderstood.
