Invest
The outlook for investor favourites in Australia
The big four banks’ first-half profits were a cause of concern for investors, and Deloitte has since released its outlook for the portfolio staples.
The outlook for investor favourites in Australia
The big four banks’ first-half profits were a cause of concern for investors, and Deloitte has since released its outlook for the portfolio staples.

According to Deloitte, the first-half results highlight the challenges the banks face, with aggregate cash profits of the major banks declining by $611 million dollars, with a bottom line impact of $1.26 billion.
Growth
Deloitte stated that it has been a challenging year, with the overall results for the banks appearing largely flat, with all banks experiencing weakness in their retail business, offset by growth in business and institutional banking, as well as New Zealand operations.
Efficiency

Given the subdued growth and challenging outlook, the major banks have had to focus on becoming more efficient.
Collectively, the major banks’ total operating expenses were down to $18.87 billion, which is a 2.6 per cent decrease compared with March 2019 and a 4.3 per cent decrease compared with September, according to Deloitte.
Remediation costs
Deloitte stated that the total remediation costs so far, from events including the royal commission, is $5.6 billion although it is hard to estimate the total cost, and this number could increase.
Headwinds
Deloitte believes the banks will face the following headwinds:
- High levels of household debt to GDP
- High levels of household debt to household disposable income
- Falling Australian house prices
- Declining housing loan
- Low consumer confidence
About the author

About the author


Stock market
Portfolio reviews as an operating discipline: turning volatility into a competitive edge
In a higher-rate, higher-volatility world, portfolio reviews are no longer an annual hygiene task; they’re a core operating rhythm that protects cash flow, unlocks tax alpha, and sharpens risk ...Read more

Stock market
Fee war on the ASX: Global X’s A300 turns up the heat on core Aussie equity ETFs
Global X has lobbed a 0.04% management fee into Australia’s core equity sandbox, launching the Australia 300 ETF (A300) to take on entrenched giants. Read more

Stock market
Challenger IM shakes up the ASX with private credit note and a side of risk
Challenger Investment Management has taken private credit mainstream with an ASX-listed note structure—LiFTs—that secured roughly $100 million in cornerstone commitments within a day of launch. Read more

Stock market
International stocks: Diversifying your portfolio beyond Australia
In an increasingly globalized market, Australian investors have the opportunity to enhance their investment portfolio by incorporating international stocks. Diversifying your investments globally can ...Read more

Stock market
Stock market rally likely to continue regardless of Fed minutes tone, says deVere CEO
The bull run that has propelled Wall Street's major indexes to record highs this month is expected to continue regardless of the tone of the upcoming Federal Reserve minutes, according to Nigel Green, ...Read more

Stock market
US stock rally driven more by valuation growth than earnings, leaving tech names vulnerable: Innova
The strong gains in US stocks over the past year, particularly in the technology sector, have been driven more by expanding valuations than underlying earnings growth, leaving them exposed to a ...Read more

Stock market
Sun Silver to make its ASX debut with a $13 million IPO
Sun Silver Limited (proposed ASX Code: "SS1") has announced the opening of its Initial Public Offering (IPO) today, aiming to raise a minimum of $10 million and a maximum of $13 million (before costs)Read more

Stock market
Nasdaq hits record high, underscores the value of tech in investment portfolios
The Nasdaq Composite's surge to an all-time high last Friday highlights the importance of incorporating technology into investment strategies. Read more

Stock market
Portfolio reviews as an operating discipline: turning volatility into a competitive edge
In a higher-rate, higher-volatility world, portfolio reviews are no longer an annual hygiene task; they’re a core operating rhythm that protects cash flow, unlocks tax alpha, and sharpens risk ...Read more

Stock market
Fee war on the ASX: Global X’s A300 turns up the heat on core Aussie equity ETFs
Global X has lobbed a 0.04% management fee into Australia’s core equity sandbox, launching the Australia 300 ETF (A300) to take on entrenched giants. Read more

Stock market
Challenger IM shakes up the ASX with private credit note and a side of risk
Challenger Investment Management has taken private credit mainstream with an ASX-listed note structure—LiFTs—that secured roughly $100 million in cornerstone commitments within a day of launch. Read more

Stock market
International stocks: Diversifying your portfolio beyond Australia
In an increasingly globalized market, Australian investors have the opportunity to enhance their investment portfolio by incorporating international stocks. Diversifying your investments globally can ...Read more

Stock market
Stock market rally likely to continue regardless of Fed minutes tone, says deVere CEO
The bull run that has propelled Wall Street's major indexes to record highs this month is expected to continue regardless of the tone of the upcoming Federal Reserve minutes, according to Nigel Green, ...Read more

Stock market
US stock rally driven more by valuation growth than earnings, leaving tech names vulnerable: Innova
The strong gains in US stocks over the past year, particularly in the technology sector, have been driven more by expanding valuations than underlying earnings growth, leaving them exposed to a ...Read more

Stock market
Sun Silver to make its ASX debut with a $13 million IPO
Sun Silver Limited (proposed ASX Code: "SS1") has announced the opening of its Initial Public Offering (IPO) today, aiming to raise a minimum of $10 million and a maximum of $13 million (before costs)Read more

Stock market
Nasdaq hits record high, underscores the value of tech in investment portfolios
The Nasdaq Composite's surge to an all-time high last Friday highlights the importance of incorporating technology into investment strategies. Read more