Simplifying Investing

The 12 day war between Israel and Iran looks to be over...for now. Questions over the extent of damage sustained by the US strikes continue to mount amid civil unrest and calls for regime change, causing more volatility for share markets. Where do we go from here? 🎙️ Join Shane and Diana as they unpack the implications for global markets and oil prices, growing pressures on the Fed to cut rates so...

🎙️ On the pod this week: Shane's back! Joining Diana behind the mic, they dive into: ✅ Geopolitical risks in the Middle East ✅ Market reactions ✅ Ongoing US tariffs ✅ Australian GDP data ✅ A dovish-sounding RBA ✅ And... does the Australian Government finally have a plan to boost productivity? Plus, a Friday dilemma:☕ Are we all spending too much time at the café and down at the beach?🌊 Or...

Markets have calmed down following some short-lived panic regarding the latest Trump trade talks and discussions around tariffs for China and the EU. More negotiations are under way with recognition that the US ultimately does want to reach a deal with its key trade partners, but some investors are now beginning to abandon the US as a 'safe haven'. On the pod this week, Diana and My explore what i...

Housing prices in Australia have continued to rise rapidly over the last two decades, with housing unaffordability and the cost of living affecting both first home buyers and older Australians retiring with greater levels of mortgage debt. On the pod this week, Diana is joined by buyer's agent Ravi Sharma and AMP Bank's Sean O'Malley to talk about the pressures faced by Australians in the housing...

Trump has cut a deal with China which came a lot sooner than expected. The worst case scenario seems to have been averted for now, resulting in a recovery in sharemarkets and reassurance to those panicking at the bottom. Meanwhile, Labor winning 93 seats in the Australian Federal Election means they now have the largest gap between an Opposition and the governing party since the mid 1970s. On the...

The latest inflation data is in and we're finally back on target. Markets are up by over 10% now that the reciprocal tariffs have been pushed out by 90 days, but there's still a long way to go. On the pod this week, Shane and Diana unpack the latest March quarter headline inflation data, look at the election promises made ahead of the Federal Election in Australia, as well as how a Trump administr...

Economics looks at what's happening in the world but recent media reports have charted the long-run decline in students studying economics at high school and a relative decline in students studying a Bachelor of Economics at university relative to STEM fields. This week, Diana is joined by Ash and Divita in a special episode looking at how economics is taught in Australia, the importance of financ...

In this ep Shane and Diana unpack Liberation Day tariffs, the possibility that the market is yet to bottom out, what this means for shares and a few key takeaways around your super in uncertain times. Important information: This podcast is general in nature and hasn’t taken your circumstances into account. It’s important you consider your personal circumstances and speak to a financial adviser bef...

We are now well and truly into 'election mode' with a federal election set for May 3rd, and both sides of politics on the campaign trail. Cost of living pressures are shaping up as a key election issue, but are fuel excises and electricity rebates just short-term fixes and band-aid solutions? Will they do anything to arrest the stagnation of living standards in Australia over the last 8 years? Joi...

Share markets have been downtrodden over the past few weeks over concerns that the Trump administration's recent policy decisions will be negative for growth, causing further uncertainty for global trade and the local economy. Join Diana and My as they unpack the latest GDP data, examine inflation expectations for consumers and look ahead to what we can expect from this year's Federal Budget. Impo...

In a week where the US pushed ahead with tariffs, we saw a lot of policy uncertainty with services and manufacturing companies seeing a decline in sentiment and consumer inflation expectations spiking. Join Shane and My as they look at what all these changes mean, the problems for investors, as well as whether the Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE) is really the answer for cutting red tape...

The RBA announced a rate cut this week for the first time since 2020, with small relief for mortgage holders after 13 consecutive hikes. while monetary policy remains restrictive. Join Shane and Diana on the pod this week as they discuss the RBA's decision, the key considerations as monetary policy remains restrictive, the outlook for inflation and what we need to see before we get another rate cu...

This week on the pod Shane and Diana catch up on: gains in markets, a look at Trumps Tariff Tango, China's new AI tech - DeepSeek and is it "Job Done" on inflation? Important information: This podcast is general in nature and hasn’t taken your circumstances into account. It’s important you consider your personal circumstances and speak to a financial adviser before deciding what’s ri...

After a stronger than expected 2024, it's been a reasonably good start to markets this year despite the US 10 year Treasury yield nearing 5% - a mark rarely seen since the GFC. This has been fuelled by higher inflation and persisting concerns over the debt ceiling issue in the US. With further details expected on tariffs and tax measures under the new administration, join Shane and Diana as th...

The pace of economic growth in Australia has been on a downtrend over the last two years and annual growth is at its lowest level since the early 1990s (outside of the pandemic). Despite population growth and strong public spending, the latest quarterly GDP figures pose several key questions for the Reserve Bank as we head into the holiday period. Join Shane and Diana as they unpack the data, anal...

The rise in the cost of living over the last four years remains a persistent challenge for the RBA and the Australian economy. Inflation continues to be too high with the trimmed mean rising to 3.5% while headline inflation remains within target. But there is cause for optimism: the rate of increase is slowing down, and the rate of services inflation in Australia is lower than in other countries i...

Trump's victory in the US election came on the back of fears over the rising cost of living and concerns over immigration that dominated voter sentiment. Join Shane and My as they look at why the polls got it wrong, what it means for markets and Australia's economy, how the RBA is thinking about this and what we can expect from a Trump presidency. Important information: This podcast is general in...

Join Shane and Diana for a quick update on: Shares at record highs, war conflict and oil prices. Is it a clear crystal ball for RBA rate cuts in Feb 2025? The 50/50 run-up to the US election and Queensland primary school kids to get a free lunch. But who really pays? Important information: This podcast is general in nature and hasn’t taken your circumstances into account. It’s important you consid...

Since the 1987 crash, the evolving role of central banks has fundamentally changed the way the economy and markets work over the past few decades. Shane and Diana are joined by special guest Alan Kohler this week as they discuss the role of central banks today in the face of uncertainty, looming fears over a recession and geopolitical tensions in the Middle East. Important information: This podcas...

Join Diana and special guests Brad Creighton - SMA lead portfolio manager at AMP and Stuart Eliot - Head of portfolio management at AMP as they take a deeper look into the past, present and future of China’s economy. Important information: This podcast is general in nature and hasn’t taken your circumstances into account. It’s important you consider your personal circumstances and speak to a finan...

Generative AI, decarbonisation and re-onshoring are three key themes that have created fertile ground for investing in recent months. Join Diana and our special guest Brad Creighton - SMA lead portfolio manager at AMP - as they discuss how these themes have shaped the outlook for the US market, why share markets around the world have proven to be resilient, and whether we can expect this resilienc...

This week on Simplifying Investing Eliza Owen - Head of Research Australia for CoreLogic drops in on Shane and Diana to chat all things - Property Markets. Important information: This podcast is general in nature and hasn’t taken your circumstances into account. It’s important you consider your personal circumstances and speak to a financial adviser before deciding what’s right for you. Any genera...

Join Shane and Diana as they review this week's latest economics news including: Market volatility, RBA's August meeting, The Sahm Rule, Doctor Don Stammer, Gummy and Grizzly bears, Compounding interest and indictors to watch, in the making of an Australian recession. Important information: This podcast is general in nature and hasn’t taken your circumstances into account. It’s important y...

Fears that income levels are stagnating, rising inequality and cost of living pressures are seeing more voters turn towards populism across Europe and the US amid calls for greater government intervention to protect workers, create new jobs and enhance wages. With Harris replacing Biden as the Democrats' nominee, join Shane and Diana as they look at the prospects of a closer US election loomin...

In light of the recent assassination attempt on former US President Donald Trump, Shane and Diana unpack aspects of Trump's decision and potential future policy making. And how this could impact future share markets and global trade, if he does in fact become President Trump 2.0. Important information: This podcast is general in nature and hasn’t taken your circumstances into account. It’s imp...