As we move into April, and hot on the heels of the recent Federal Budget, Prime Minister Anthony Albanese has announced a national election for May 3 – kicking off an April campaign centred on tax cuts and cost-of-living relief.
Meanwhile fears of inflation in the United States and alarm about unpredictable and escalating tariffs saw sharp falls on Wall Street during March, particularly in the final week.
In Australia, the events in the US, conflicts in Ukraine and the Middle East and the start of the federal election campaign have all made their mark. The S&P/ASX 200 reacted with an almost 5% drop during March.
The Australian dollar, in the doldrums all year, improved slightly during the month before ending lower at around 63US cents.
Economic growth was up 0.6% in the December quarter and 1.3% for the year and household wealth climbed 0.9% in the same period.Inflation rose 2.4% in the 12 months to February, a slight softening from the previous month’s increase of 2.5%.
Consumer sentiment recorded a 4% rise in March, according to the Melbourne Institute and Westpac Bank Sentiment index. The RBA’s decision to cut interest rates in February and a further easing in cost-of-living pressures have provided a clear lift.
Market Overview March 2025 & outlook ahead
February’s weakness continued into March, driven by a massive increase in economic and political uncertainty associated with trade and tariff wars. The Trump administration has indicated that “liberation day” is April 2nd, and markets have moved accordingly.
Navigating turbulent times in financial markets
As financial markets grapple with uncertainty, keeping a cool head and sticking to your long term investment strategy has never been more important.
2025 April: Steering the course ahead
In the 2025 March quarter and into April we saw market turbulence, reacting to the uncertainty and the daily twists and turns of the Trump administration.
How political events affect the markets
From the economy bending policies of Trump 2.0 to the growing strength of the far right in Europe, the new alliance between Russia and the United States, the wars in Ukraine and the Middle East, and the US President’s vow to upturn world trade rules, the markets are certainly navigating tricky times.
Big changes ahead for Aged Care
The number of Australians aged over 65 is expected to more than double in the next 40 years while the number of people aged over 85 is predicted to triple in that time.
Be financially well organised
The more we can do to get our financial house in order and be financially well organised, the more we can reduce financial stress, promote financial wellbeing and increase our chance for a happy, healthy and productive life.
