November Newsletter

It is now understood that when we make economic, financial and investment decisions, we do so as flawed humans with an inbuilt tendency to do the wrong thing. Recognising this is the first step towards changing our behaviour for the better.

The combination of historically-low yields, expected muted investment returns and growing life expectancies are making it particularly challenging for retirees to calculate how much to draw down from their retirement savings.

Benchmark magazine interviews Brian Long, Head of Retirement, NAB Asset Management.

As the year draws to a close, it's worth checking whether you are making the most of your ability to make regular salary-sacrificed super contributions.

Highlights:

• Recent economic data continues to show that the major economies are all growing and that global growth is accelerating.

• In Japan, the recent elections returned Prime Minister Shizo Abe’s Liberal Democratic Party with a larger majority allowing a continuation of Abenomics.

• In the US, markets reacted favourably to the details of the Republican tax reforms and news that Jerome Powell will be nominated as the next Federal Reserve Chairman.

• In China the 19th Communist Party Congress elected Xi Jinping for another five years as President and General Secretary paving the way for further reform of the Chinese economy.

• Australian employment continues to grow strongly helped by strong business conditions.

If you have any questions regarding this report or would like to discuss your portfolio, please contact me directly on 02 6562 2295

Read full November market update report  >>

Which key events have been driving markets? Watch this video of NAB Asset Management's Senior Economist Bob Cunneen talking to Head of Investment Communications Jason Hazell to find out.

They discuss:

• the ambitious Wall Street

• the announcement of Jerome Powell as the next US Fed Chairman and

• the strong rebound in Australian shares in October.