Money

Should going to the gym be tax deductible?

Published

2 years ago

April 2, 2024

Ahron Young

As Australians grapple with rising living costs, one industry is feeling the pinch more than most: fitness.

Whenever the cost of living rises, gym memberships seem to be among the first expenses to go, according to gym owner Amanda Heffernan.

But now, a lobby group for the fitness industry, AUSactive, is pushing for a change.

They’ve written to the federal government, advocating for tax-deductible gym memberships as part of a broader preventative health plan.

AUSactive’s CEO, Barrie Elvish, stresses the urgency of the situation, calling the current state of the health system “unsustainable.”

He argues that investing in preventative health measures, such as incentivising gym memberships, could save the government billions of dollars by keeping people healthier for longer.

Public campaign

The proposal for tax-deductible gym memberships is part of a three-point plan that also includes expanding fringe benefits tax (FBT) incentives for corporate gym memberships and launching a public messaging campaign to promote healthier lifestyles.

The importance of preventative healthcare cannot be overstated.

Countless studies have shown that physical exercise is crucial for preventing a range of non-communicable diseases, including heart disease, diabetes, and certain types of cancer.

The World Health Organization (WHO) identifies insufficient physical exercise as a significant risk factor for mortality, responsible for millions of deaths each year.

Despite the clear benefits of exercise, Australia lags behind other wealthy nations in investing in preventative health.

The Grattan Institute warns that without significant investment in preventative health programs, Australia is heading towards a future plagued by avoidable illness and disability.

Dr. Michael Wright, a health economist, said that even small changes, such as walking more or taking the stairs, can have a significant impact on overall health.

While gym memberships can be costly, there are also free resources available online, and individuals are encouraged to speak with their healthcare provider for personalised advice.

Money

Are we in an AI bubble or just a market reality check?

Tech stocks falter as AI boom faces reality; market shifts towards gold amidst growing investor caution.

Published

4 days ago

November 6, 2025

Ahron Young

Tech stocks falter as AI boom faces reality; market shifts towards gold amidst growing investor caution.

Global tech stocks are losing altitude as investors question whether the AI boom has gone too far — or if the market is simply returning to earth after years of euphoric growth. With valuations for chipmakers and AI giants stretched to perfection, analysts warn that expectations may finally be colliding with economic reality.

In this segment, Brad Gastwirth from Circular Technologies joins us to unpack the trillion-dollar question: is this a healthy correction or the first crack in the AI gold rush? From hyperscaler capex surges to regulatory risks and fragile market leadership, he breaks down what’s driving investor nerves.

We also explore how the market rotation into gold and real assets reflects growing caution, and what this could mean for the future of AI-driven investing.

Subscribe to never miss an episode of Ticker – https://www.youtube.com/@weareticker

#AIBubble #TechStocks #MarketCorrection #Semiconductors #Investing #FinanceNews #AIStocks #TickerNews

Money

Inflation rise reduces chances of Reserve Bank rate cut

Inflation spikes, drastically reducing chances of a Reserve Bank rate cut amid economic pressures and rising costs

Published

2 weeks ago

October 29, 2025

ticker NEWS

Inflation spikes, drastically reducing chances of a Reserve Bank rate cut amid economic pressures and rising costs

In Short:
– Rate cut likelihood by the Reserve Bank has decreased due to a rise in annual inflation to 3.2 per cent.
– Significant price increases in housing, recreation, and transport are raising concerns for the Reserve Bank.

The likelihood of a rate cut by the Reserve Bank has decreased significantly after a surge in annual inflation.

The Australian Bureau of Statistics reported that inflation for the year ending September rose to 3.2 per cent, reflecting a 1.1 per cent increase.

Trimmed mean inflation, a crucial measure for the Reserve Bank, was recorded at 1 per cent for the quarter and 3 per cent for the year. The bank anticipates inflation to reach 3 per cent by year-end, while trimmed mean inflation is expected to slightly decrease.

The quarterly rise of 1.3 per cent in September exceeded expectations. Governor Bullock noted that a deviation from the Reserve Bank’s projections could have material implications.

Financial markets reacted promptly, with the Australian dollar rising against the US dollar, while the ASX200 index fell.

The most significant price increases were observed in housing, recreation, and transport, indicating widespread price pressures that concern the Reserve Bank.

Despite the unexpected inflation rise, some economists believe the Reserve Bank may still consider rate cuts in December, viewing current price spikes as temporary due to the winding back of subsidies.

Economic Pressures

Broad-based economic pressures suggest that the Reserve Bank may not reduce interest rates at its upcoming meeting. Analysts highlight the need for ongoing support for households facing cost-of-living challenges.

Money

Wall Street hits record highs on low inflation

Wall Street hits record highs on cool inflation and strong earnings ahead of key Federal Reserve interest rate decision

Published

2 weeks ago

October 26, 2025

Ahron Young

Wall Street hits record highs on cool inflation and strong earnings ahead of key Federal Reserve interest rate decision

In Short:
– U.S. stocks rose to record highs on Friday due to lower inflation and strong corporate earnings.
– Key earnings reports from major companies are expected next week, influencing market trends.

U.S. stocks rose to record highs on Friday due to lower-than-expected inflation data and positive corporate earnings.The S&P 500 and Nasdaq achieved their largest weekly gains since August. The Dow saw its biggest jump from Friday to Friday since June.

The Labor Department reported that the Consumer Price Index was slightly cooler than analysts’ predictions, easing concerns about inflation impacts from tariffs. This development suggests a likely interest rate cut by the Federal Reserve at its upcoming meeting.

Ryan Detrick from Carson Group noted the positive inflation news may facilitate forthcoming Fed rate cuts. Despite the ongoing government shutdown affecting data releases, this CPI report provided much-needed clarity.

Earnings reports are continuing, with 143 S&P 500 companies having reported results. Growth expectations for third-quarter earnings have risen to 10.4%. Detrick indicated a strong opening to the earnings season with a significant percentage of companies exceeding expectations.

This coming week, key earnings will be reported from Meta Platforms, Microsoft, Alphabet, Amazon, and Apple, alongside industrial companies like Caterpillar and Boeing.

The Dow rose 472.51 points to 47,207.12. The S&P 500 increased by 53.25 points to 6,791.69, while the Nasdaq gained 263.07 points, reaching 23,204.87.

Alphabet gained 2.7% following a deal expansion with Anthropic. Coinbase saw a 9.8% increase from a JPMorgan upgrade. In contrast, Deckers Outdoor’s shares fell 15.2% after lowering sales forecasts.