Digital Finance Analytics (DFA) Blog

A surge in long-term bond yields has driven both the Australian dollar and the local sharemarket to an 11-month low earlier in the week, and may force Reserve Bank of Australia governor Michele Bullock to deliver further cash rate rises, economists say. Adding to expectations that the RBA may deliver one further interest rate rise … Continue reading "Bond Market To RBA: Put Rates Higher!"

According to the AFR, Australia’s red-hot jobs market is preventing the country’s most indebted borrowers from falling behind on their home loan, as internal Reserve Bank research reveals nearly one in five borrowers may be in mortgage stress. While unemployment nationally was 3.7 per cent in August, unemployment among homeowners was likely “almost non-existent”. But … Continue reading "The Mortgage Stress Default Disconnect"

This has been another crazy week on the markets, as the truth of higher rates for longer has started to permeate not only bond markets, but equity markets too. And after a stunningly strong U.S. jobs report bolstered the case for more tightening from the Federal Reserve, the U.S. Treasury yield surge that has shaken … Continue reading "Risks Build As Bonds Shoot For The Moon…"

Wall Street’s main indexes were poised for a sharply lower open on Friday after a strong jobs report deepened fears that interest rates may stay elevated for an extended period. The Labor Department’s report showed non-farm payrolls increased by 336,000 jobs in September on a monthly basis, against expectations of 170,000 additions, according to a … Continue reading "The Good News Is Bad News Problem…"

My latest Friday afternoon chat with journalist Tarric Brooker, as we look at the RBA’s latest Statement On Monetary Policy, and the recent Bond Market dynamics. And we look at the economic fall out on households if rates go higher for longer. Tarric’s charts can be found at: https://avidcom.substack.com/p/dfa-chart-pack-6th-october-2023 http://www.martinnorth.com/ Go to the Walk The … Continue reading "Laughing Or Weeping, We’re Back: With Tarric Brooker!"

Despite all the hopium from the property lobbyists, the truth is more households are running out of runway with regards to their finances. It has shown up in my latest surveys, with more than half of mortgage holders now struggling with cash flow, and 70% percent of renters in the same boat. Next Tuesday on … Continue reading "Crash Alert: Households Are Running Out Of Runway!"

A belated edition of our Monday evening rant with Edwin Almeida, our property insider. This week we explore the political shenanigans & follies, the latest numbers and some tips on beating the auction. https://www.ribbonproperty.com.au/ http://www.martinnorth.com/ Go to the Walk The World Universe at https://walktheworld.com.au/ Today’s post is brought to you by Ribbon Property Consultants.

This is an edited version of a live discussion with Damien Klassen, Head of Investments at Walk The World Funds and Nucleus Wealth. Given the recent movements in bond yields, and the strong US$, markets are in the doldrums, and we will explore the current dynamics in play. Original version here: https://youtube.com/live/VbBSqRZf3xo Go to the … Continue reading "DFA Live Q&A HD Replay: Investing Now With Damien Klassen"

I caught up with Steve again following the RBA no change announcement on Tuesday, and we discussed the implications, in the light of new research from Canstar about the state of play of household finances. Steve Mickenbecker is in Canstar’s Group Executive Team, bringing more than 30 years of experience in the Australian financial services … Continue reading "Well, The RBA Does It Again… With Steve Mickenbecker"

A belated edition of our property Rant this week, as I am joined by Edwin to look at the latest news and data on the market. Listings seem to be wilting, rental properties are becoming as rare as Edwin’s chickens… [Note next weeks Rant will also be released on Wednesday due to the long weekend … Continue reading "Its Edwin’s Wednesday [Monday] Evening Property Rant!"