Invest
Aussie investors straying from stock market
Fresh research has found that over the last quarter, Australians have been focusing more on paying off their debt and boosting their savings than on investing in shares.
Aussie investors straying from stock market
Fresh research has found that over the last quarter, Australians have been focusing more on paying off their debt and boosting their savings than on investing in shares.
According to the results of MLC’s Wealth Sentiment Survey – which comprised responses from 2,100 Australians in the final quarter of 2015 – Australians adopted a “conservative” approach to their investments during this period.
In fact, only eight per cent said they had added to their super, while seven per cent purchased shares and just three per cent purchased an investment property.
“Overall, Australians invested less in most asset classes in Q4, except when it came to paying down their debts,” MLC said.
“While the majority of Australians said they increased the amount they held in savings/deposits accounts in Q4, around -4 per cent (net) also said they added less than in the three months prior.
“In contrast, almost five per cent of Australians (net) said they allocated more to paying down debt, while the amount invested in shares was broadly unchanged,” the report said.
The survey also found that that one in five Australians expects to invest less overall in the next three months.
"Specifically, more than one in 10 plan to invest 'a lot less' while nine per cent plan to invest 'a little less'," the report said.
“In contrast, one in 10 Australians plan to invest 'a little more' and only two per cent expect to invest 'a lot more'. Around 54 per cent expect to invest about the same.
“More high-income earners expect to increase the amount they invest in the next three months when compared to low-income earners, while more low-income earners are planning to invest less,” it continued.
The report also found that not having enough money to invest after taking out living expenses remains the biggest barrier to saving for retirement.
The survey found that expectations for having more than enough to retire on were very low, with only seven per cent of men and four per cent of women expecting to reach this goal.
It also indicated that 40 per cent of Australian women do not expect to have enough money to retire on, compared with around 31 per cent of men.
One in four women, based on the results, believe they will have ‘far from enough’ to retire on.
On average the survey showed that on average, Australian expects to retire with $500,000 but nearly one in five expect to have less than $100,000 and one and five don’t know.
The survey also showed that 40 per cent of Australians don’t know how much they have in super.
MLC general manager of corporate super Lara Bourguignon said it is concerning that half the population still does not use a financial planner or even has a financial plan.
“A financial plan can not only help you to achieve your immediate goals, it can also help make sure you’re putting enough away for a comfortable retirement,” she said.
“If you find yourself living pay check to pay check, finding the time to make a financial plan can help you find savings opportunities.”
Stock market
ASX tipped for record high despite inflation fears
The market is tipped to shake off fears of rising inflation, with the ASX 200 now tipped to close the year at a new record high, an economist has revealed. ...Read more
Stock market
‘Commission-free propaganda’: Warning issued for retail investors
The phrase “if you’re not paying for it, you’re the product” applies just as much to stock trading apps as it does to social media networks. ...Read more
Stock market
Is the tech sell-off creating opportunities for investors?
A tech sell-off sparked by inflation concerns has seen world markets crash. But is it creating an opportunity for investors to ‘buy the dip’? ...Read more
Stock market
Government opens arms to Wall Street
In its bid to maintain Australia’s global competitiveness, albeit its firmly shut borders, the Australian government has included a measure in its recent budget to allow foreign financial services p...Read more
Stock market
Aussie market falls on US inflation
The Australian sharemarket has fallen on the bell after Wall Street experienced sharp sell-offs overnight due to hotter than expected inflation data. ...Read more
Stock market
Westpac 1H profits soar post-pandemic
Australia’s improving economic outlook has seen the profits of a big four bank surge, which is said to signal strong dividend gains across the market, an industry expert has revealed. ...Read more
Stock market
Limiting internet searches for investors ups likelihood of a stock market crash
Internet searching does not exacerbate investors’ biases – instead, it facilitates their ability to access and analyse information, new research has revealed. ...Read more
Stock market
Ethical investing tipped to drive ETF market
Following a volatile 2020 where investors poured into ETFs, shareholders are tipped to focus on ethical investing and technology as the recovery from the COVID-19 pandemic continues, an industry expe...Read more
Are you being priced out of the market? Have you got the Tuesday blues? And are you ready for the upcoming super changes?
Listen now
Are property prices set to crash? Should you jump on board the fintok craze? And how to prepare for this tax time
Listen now
Dissecting the budget and what it means for your equities, property and super
Listen now
Has the property market reached its peak; Biden’s climate summit and our sharemarket, and the upcoming budget
Listen now
Stock market
ASX tipped for record high despite inflation fears
The market is tipped to shake off fears of rising inflation, with the ASX 200 now tipped to close the year at a new record high, an economist has revealed. ...Read more
Stock market
‘Commission-free propaganda’: Warning issued for retail investors
The phrase “if you’re not paying for it, you’re the product” applies just as much to stock trading apps as it does to social media networks. ...Read more
Stock market
Is the tech sell-off creating opportunities for investors?
A tech sell-off sparked by inflation concerns has seen world markets crash. But is it creating an opportunity for investors to ‘buy the dip’? ...Read more
Stock market
Government opens arms to Wall Street
In its bid to maintain Australia’s global competitiveness, albeit its firmly shut borders, the Australian government has included a measure in its recent budget to allow foreign financial services p...Read more
Stock market
Aussie market falls on US inflation
The Australian sharemarket has fallen on the bell after Wall Street experienced sharp sell-offs overnight due to hotter than expected inflation data. ...Read more
Stock market
Westpac 1H profits soar post-pandemic
Australia’s improving economic outlook has seen the profits of a big four bank surge, which is said to signal strong dividend gains across the market, an industry expert has revealed. ...Read more
Stock market
Limiting internet searches for investors ups likelihood of a stock market crash
Internet searching does not exacerbate investors’ biases – instead, it facilitates their ability to access and analyse information, new research has revealed. ...Read more
Stock market
Ethical investing tipped to drive ETF market
Following a volatile 2020 where investors poured into ETFs, shareholders are tipped to focus on ethical investing and technology as the recovery from the COVID-19 pandemic continues, an industry expe...Read more
More articles
Website Notifications
Get notifications in real-time for staying up to date with content that matters to you.
