Last year shares climbed a “wall of worry” as inflation fell leading to prospects for lower interest rates ahead. But can it continue? After participating in a webinar on the investment outlook this note takes a look at the main questions investors have in a simple Q&A format.

Hear from Stuart Eliot, Stephen Flegg and Jeronimo Harrison from the AMP Investments portfolio team on their outlook for 2024.

The Simplifying Investing podcast series aims to de-mystify the often-complex world of investing.

For the week, the US S&P hits 5000; "good news" rate cuts vs "bad"; is the China bear market over?; slightly mixed RBA messaging but still less hawkish; Australian earnings preview; and more.

Fears that inflation expectations will become “unanchored” and lead to prolonged high inflation has been one reason behind the aggressive stance on inflation through numerous interest rate increases across global central banks.

The Australian tax system has five key problems: it’s heavily reliant on income tax; it’s complicated by numerous tax concessions; it’s highly progressive; it has ongoing problems with “bracket creep”; & suffers from several anachronisms.

Dr Shane Oliver discusses more good news on inflation and rates; Australian and US shares make record highs; concerns over US banks & commercial property, and Evergrande; RBA to hold in Feb and start cutting in June.

This week, Senior Economist Diana Mousina highlights that shares have increased, Chinese equities rebound on stimulus measures, January global PMIs show improvement in activity, Australian government winds back Stage 3 tax cuts for high income earners and redirects to middle income households, and more.

The surge in inflation coming out of the pandemic and its subsequent fall has been the dominant driver of investment markets over the last two years – first depressing shares and bonds in 2022 and then enabling them to rebound.

Shares vulnerable after rising too far too fast late last year; good news on inflation continues; supply side risks; RBA to hold in February and to start cutting in June; Australian household spending remains weak despite Black Friday; US SEC approved ETFs to invest directly into Bitcoin; and more.

Australia ranked as having one of the lowest rates of disposable income growth per capita amongst OECD countries in mid-2023. Deputy Chief Economist, Diana Mousina examines the implications of these and what Australians may expect.

Despite lots of angst at the start of the year, 2023 turned out far better than feared. Dr Shane Oliver reflects on key themes from the past year and suggests what investors should look out for in 2024.