Posts by The Muirfield Team
2012 Winter Newsletter
The Sun Will Shine On Investors This Financial Year
Let me go out on a limb (and I haven’t done this since climbing trees as a kid – but that’s another story!). I believe the sharemarket will recover this year.
In brief, Australia’s economy is performing very well with company profits at record levels. The high $A is making it more expensive for overseas investors than in the past. If the exchange rate moves back towards its long term average of 80c US – not $1.03 US, as it is now, it will make investment in Australia and the purchase of our goods cheaper for those overseas. The sharemarket is low but dividends from ‘blue chip ‘ shares are now often more than the interest rate you can get on Term Deposits.
It’s for these reasons that I believe the sun will shine on investors over the next year.
We have an informative eNews ahead. We hope you enjoy, and share the link to our eNews with friends and family.
Click here to read the 2012 Winter eNews
Read MoreFrom iPhone To iPad To iPod Touch To iRon
Sometimes it is good to take some time out from our busy lives to enjoy some light humour.
Here’s a funny scenario we thought you would enjoy.
It all began with an iPhone .. my son was celebrating his 16th birthday, so I got him an iPhone. He just loved it. Who wouldn’t?
Read More2012 Autumn Newsletter
In our Summer eNews we expressed our optimism for investments in 2012. As Autumn leaves start to fall, our wish for a good start is en route with a 6% rise in Aussie shares from Jan 1 to March 31. Your portfolio will have enjoyed this lift!
We have an interactive eNews ahead, with topical articles, film clips and calculators adding substance and depth. We hope you enjoy, and share the link to our eNews with friends and family.
In This Issue
- So, You Are About to Retire …
- The Carbon Tax mystery
- 5 Key Questions on Aged Care
- Protection in Super
Click here to view our 2012 Autumn eNews
Read More5 Key Questions About Aged Care
If you are considering aged care for someone close to you, there are five questions you need answered to maximise your chances of getting the best care at the most reasonable cost.
It’s a fact of life that many of us will need to one day face the daunting task of seeking aged care for someone close to us. At first the complexity of dealing with the personal, practical and financial issues may seem overwhelming, but there are positive ways to address these issues and there is help available to navigate through them.
Sooner or later many of us need to support a relative who is no longer able to manage independently in their own home.
Read MoreThe RBA Decision
The RBA board have decided to hold the cash rate for another month.
Despite Australia’s low inflation rate the RBA is clearly concerned that Australia’s forecast economic growth will push inflation higher.
Whilst unemployment and inflation remain low, it is unlikely that we will be seeing a rate cut in the near future.
We will now sit and wait to see what our home loan lenders do with their interest rates. Within the mortgage industry we are hearing every lender complain about the same problem………. the rising cost of funds.
Read MoreI am about to retire, do volatile markets mean a change of plans?
We are often asked, How much money do I need to have to retire?. Media commentator Paul Clitheroe adds his views to this age old question and discusses how to manage your retirement plans during the current market volatility.
Make sure your speakers are turned on and press play below to watch the video.
Read MoreProtection in Super
Australians are notoriously underinsured, so it’s reassuring to know that affordable, tax-effective life insurance could be as near as your super fund. Most super funds offer members at least a basic level of personal insurance cover, and holding your insurance within super – rather than in stand-alone policies – can have its benefits. The article covers the following:
– Tax efficient insurance premiums
– Cost savings
– Automatic cover
– Insurance payouts
– Tax implications
– Will it be enough?
– Erosion of retirement savings
The RBA leaves rates on hold
The RBA has decided to leave the cash rate at its current levels. This may leave our home loan lenders in a bit of a quandary. All four majors have recently commented that they need to gain some profit margin due to their rising cost of funds. This move by the RBA may force the banks to increase our current rates despite the RBA’s decision to hold. We will wait and see.
Interestingly, ANZ in an attempt to break away from the media’s expectation that they “always match the RBA decision” have decided to review their rates
Read More2012 Summer Newsletter
Hello 2012 – Let’s be friends
After the investment challenges of the past few years, our New Year’s wish is to be a friend with 2012.
Naturally, as our friend, 2012 will provide us with greater predictability, lower investment volatility, double digit (positive!) investment returns, no global disasters, clear recovery in world economies and excellent personal health. Surely that is not asking too much? (For Best Friend status, we’d need World Peace and an improved Environment thrown in).
What we can report with certainty is the success Muirfield has achieved for our clients through our recent project to recover tax and find lost super. Since July’ 11, well over $80,000 has been returned to you.
We wish you a wonderful 2012 and remind you to take time to enjoy family, friends and holidays. Life is short and is to be lived!
Click here to read the 2012 Summer Newsletter
Read MoreInterest versus Dividends
A common goal for many of our retired clients is to achieve a steady, reliable income. While fixed interest and cash based investments are traditional instruments for achieving consistent income the reduction in interest rates has raised some concerns.
Interest rates on bank deposits have now been falling for more than a year – to the point where a rate of 5% pa is the norm. This is a drop in earnings from interest of more than 20% from 2010.
On the other hand, share dividends from Blue Chip shares such as CBA, NAB, Wespac, ANZ and Telstra are paying gross dividends of approx 10% pa .
Whilst the current market conditions make cash a somewhat comforting investment, Blue Chip shares should not be overlooked. Our use of the SMA Blue Chip Top 20 and diversified Australian Share Funds have been favourable in providing consistent income for our clients.
Read on for a comparison between cash interest and Woolworths dividends as well as the forecast on Blue Chip dividend yields….
Read More