The fact that Australian shares are now trading on a similar pe to global shares does not indicate that they are overvalued or that global shares now offer better return prospects. |
The general picture is for a substantial performance in Asian shares as consumer spending in Japan and China, in particular, fuels profit growth. |
The homes sales data is more important, because if the market continues to slow, that will ultimately take pressure off the U.S. Fed Reserve. |
The housing market remains in the doldrums. With the housing market still slowing and households under pressure from high petrol prices, interest rates will remain on hold. |
The market is due for a pause. |
The situation is far healthier. The risk of another Asian crisis is very low. |
This is exactly what the Reserve Bank wants because increased investment reduces inflationary pressure and will help build capacity. |
Today's decision will slow the recovery we've been seeing in retail sales and housing. It will be a knock on the head for both. |
U.S. interest rates are pretty close to the top. By year- end it is quite likely the Fed will be shifting toward easing monetary policy and investors will be starting to wonder about a renewed widening in the Australian and U.S. interest-rate gap. |
We need other areas to fill the hole left by slowing consumer spending. Luckily mining investment and exports are increasing, which will help plug the gap. |
You need to put effort into determining the return, which is largely linked to the risk of the borrower. |