Insights

Making sacrifices early, going back to work after retirement and passing Centrelink's assets test.

A new listed investment company hopes to give self-funded retirees some peace of mind.

Your thoughts on the question of super tax reform.

Although the Australian equity market is traditionally divided up into 11 "GIC" sectors, we can aggregate further into four key broader sectors: resources (energy and materials); cyclicals (industrials, consumer discretionary, and technology); defensives (consumer staples, health care, utilities and telecommunications), and financials (including listed property). Breaking down the market in this way produces some interesting results.

Spot iron ore's recovery to above $US50 and a stronger overnight oil price should see a reversal in resource stocks and a firm opening for the ASX 200 index this morning as traders wait on release of key Chinese economic data due at midday.

The $40m fine levied on National Australia Bank's (ASX:NAB) UK offshoots, Clydesdale Bank...

It's a "good news, bad news" day for Australian investors, as leads point in different directions and conflicting market forces mean the close today is anyone's guess. Weaker share markets overnight are offset by commodity gains, and uncertainty around the beginning US reporting season is compounded by recent extraordinary China trade data.

Not only is Shell's proposed takeover of BG Group a vote of confidence for the oil price, but recent price signals have also been supportive.

The market has unfairly dismissed this IT services company since it listed… and now it offers double-digit earnings growth and a 7%-plus yield.

The US-based energy company is one of the most leveraged plays on the oil price.

This week we look at QBE Insurance, Metcash, Ansell, Blackmores and Beach Energy.

We lift our valuation on a strong interim result, improvements to key investments and better industry dynamics for building materials.

A risk on session for international markets led by Europe is likely to see a firm opening on our stock market this morning. This will have traders again thinking about the potential implications of a break above 6000 by the ASX 200.

For the third time this year, the Australian market has tried to push through the 6000 level, but has retreated after coming within four points of what looks now to be a key resistance level. While the banks are relatively unchanged for the day, the miners and materials stocks have weighed on the markets as low iron ore prices continue to hurt the sector.

There was nothing in overnight market news likely to change the outlook for Australian investors this morning. This suggests that while the market may open on a firm note, the most likely scenario for today's trading is another day of consolidation.

Insights to the thinking of the US Federal Reserve boards and a collapse in oil prices left investors in a cautiously optimistic mood overnight. The latest episode of the Greek soap opera was shot in Moscow, but European stock weakness turned to US strength. Lighter than average share market volumes around the globe point to a lack of conviction at current market levels.