Noel Whittaker's Blog
By Noel Whittaker
Once again stock markets are bouncing around. The optimists see it as an opportunity to buy – the pessimists reckon we are on the brink of another big crash. Yes, owning shares can get a bit scary, but anybody investing in shares must understand that volatility is the price we pay for liquidity. Only shares …
It’s been another volatile week in world stock markets – caused mainly by the American Federal Reserve continuing its policy of increasing interest rates. This has caused a rout in the bond market, which has somehow led to a fall in the share market, with the papers claiming that investors are fleeing to the safety …
Recently a reader emailed with a problem that is becoming increasingly common for retirees. She and her partner had long had a credit card with the principal card in his name, and her card held as a supplementary card. She had read my columns recommending both partners have a card in their own names because …
Bank interest rates are on the rise, and it’s got nothing to do with any action by the Reserve Bank. Simply, the interest rate cycle has turned, and rates all around the world are going up. As a consequence, the cost of funds sourced by our banks from overseas is rising as well. Unfortunately, our …
It’s 10 years since the GFC hit. Today let’s reflect on the lessons we have learned from the biggest crisis in most of our lifetimes. You may be surprised to learn that the interest rates in Australia were on the rise in early 2008, with the Reserve Bank raising interest rates twice in February and …