In the latest episode of Relative Return Insider, host Keith Ford and AMP chief economist, Dr Shane Oliver, discuss this week’s RBA interest rate decision, a potential government shutdown in the US, and a new property scheme aimed at first home buyers.

Key discussion points:

• Whether the RBA will cut rates by the end of the year.
• Increased risk of a US government shutdown.
• A shutdown’s effect on the job market.
• The “desperation” in Australia’s property market.
• Economic impact of a 5 per cent home deposit scheme.

The SMSF sector is in a holding pattern as key regulatory and legislative changes remain unresolved. In this episode of the SMSF Adviser podcast, hosts Aaron Dunn and Keith Ford discuss some of the key changes that are still to be clarified, such as the Div 296 tax and the much-anticipated NALI/E amendments.

The podcast touches on recent updates from the ATO, specifically regarding Law Companion Ruling (LCR) 2021/2 relating to super contributions and the recently released annual Class Benchmark report.

Listen as they discuss:

• Revelations that more SMSFs will be impacted by the proposed Div 296 than originally estimated.
• The changing face of the SMSF sector demographics.
• The ongoing advice gap in the SMSF sector.
• Implications of commuting market-linked pensions.

In the latest episode of Relative Return Insider, host Keith Ford and AMP chief economist Shane Oliver discuss the latest Australian CPI data and their impact on future interest rate decisions. If the RBA opts to cut rates again, how will this affect investor and consumer behaviour?

Key discussion points:

• Factors driving the decrease in inflation.
• Potential implications for interest rates.
• The role of the public sector in jobs growth.
• How rate cuts have affected house prices.

In the latest episode of The ifa Show, Ben Walsh, principal research consultant at WealthVantage Partners, joins host Keith Ford to break down the corporate regulator’s new report on the private credit market and highlight the main areas that financial advisers need to understand.

Walsh delves into the report's detailed examination of the industry, emphasising the need for greater transparency and scrutiny, particularly regarding special purpose vehicles, fee disclosures, and product labelling.

Tune in to hear:

• Why advisers need to conduct thorough due diligence and not rely on any third party when recommending private credit to clients.
• The danger of private credit funds often being mislabelled as “defensive exposure” despite the illiquid nature of their underlying assets.
• Why advisers shouldn’t be considered gatekeepers, and more onus needs to be on the fund managers themselves.

In our new “Ahead of the Curve” series, in partnership with fund manager MFS Investment Management, Money Management will explore all things fixed income.

The dedicated educational series of expert insights and compelling discussion will help advisers understand how they can best utilise fixed income within their clients’ portfolios to meet their needs and help them achieve their financial goals.

In this podcast, join MFS’ managing director and head of wholesale distribution for Australia and New Zealand, James Langlands, as he interviews Evidentia senior asset consultant Ron Mehmet to discuss fixed income fund selection for advisers.

The pair also discuss:

• Where to start when researching fixed income.
• What advisers should look for in a public fixed income fund.
• Differentiating between different types of bond offerings.
• Common misconceptions made during fund selection.
• The diversification benefits from fixed income for client portfolios.

In the latest episode of Relative Return Insider, hosts Maja Garaca Djurdjevic, Shane Oliver, and Keith Ford unpack the twists and turns of today’s markets – from credit rating agencies navigating global uncertainty to simultaneous dual IPOs.

They examine whether tariffs, trade tensions, and protectionist policies are genuinely straining rating agencies or just adding to the usual market noise, and dissect why research houses sometimes reach conflicting conclusions.

Key discussion points:

• How global uncertainty and trade tensions impact credit rating agencies’ assessments.
• Diverging research house views, including Lonsec downgrades versus Zenith’s praise of Metrics funds.
• The potential effects of regulatory moves, including US President Donald Trump’s push for biannual reporting.
• Simultaneous IPOs, are they possible and warranted?

In the latest episode of The ifa Show, Mazi Wealth financial adviser Deline Jacovides joins host Keith Ford to delve into the complexities of making financial advice more accessible and why accessibility extends beyond simply trying to deliver advice at the lowest cost possible.

Jacovides explains that she believes making advice more accessible includes utilising diverse delivery methods like ad hoc services that may appeal to clients who may not require continuous engagement, while also requiring government action to reduce the cost burden on financial advisers.

Tune in to hear:

• Why transparency and education are crucial to bridge the gap between client expectations and the true cost of financial advice.
• How clients who have engaged with online “finfluencer” content often have some level of foundational financial literacy.
• The role of technology in streamlining operations and enhancing the efficiency of advice delivery.
• Why fixing the onerous statement of advice process should be the top priority in advice reform.

Market valuations have emerged as a crucial area in the SMSF sector, particularly in light of regulatory changes and heightened ATO scrutiny. The looming spectre of Division 296 further complicates the landscape, particularly regarding the methodology used for valuations.

In this episode of the SMSF Adviser Podcast, host Aaron Dunn, chief executive of Smarter SMSF, is joined by industry stalwart Shelley Banton, head of technical for ASF Audits, to delve into the changing expectations for valuations and meeting the challenging compliance requirements.

Listen as they discuss:

• The complexity of market valuations, especially for assets that lack readily available market data.
• Concerns around private credit.
• Practical solutions that may support auditors.
• The shift in expectations for the auditing profession.