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Post Market Wrap | Budget Forecasts Confirm Robust Economic Outlook

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This Post Market Wrap is presented by KOSEC – Kodari Securities

  • Cost of living payments and infrastructure expenditure positive for the economy 
  • Full employment + strong GDP growth = Inflationary pressure
  • RBA response to inflation will see interest rates rise
  • Bond yields currently reflect higher future interest rates, but economy to remain strong 
  • Equity markets most likely to follow the economy and remain positive

Federal Budget Economic Boost

Full employment, strong economic growth and high commodity prices for Australian exports, support continuing positive momentum for the Australian share market. This is because household consumption remains buoyant following a cut in fuel excise and the announcement of cash payments for low and middle income earners, to alleviate cost of living pressures. Targeting low and middle income earners delivers an immediate cash boost to the economy because that money usually gets spent quickly. Consumer stocks are likely to benefit immediately from this budget initiative. 

Infrastructure expenditure featured prominently in the budget outlays, with $17.9 billion set aside for various projects. Far North Queensland will see a $5.4 billion dam constructed while $0.7 billion has been set aside for the Melbourne international terminal at a cost of $3.1 billion. $0.7 billion will be spent on inland roads and $0.5 billion on NBN upgrades. 

This expansionary budget, at a time of full employment, is supportive of business earnings growth and that should underpin the share market at current levels, at least for the foreseeable future.

Robust Economic Growth

A key feature of the budget forecasts is the markedly improved growth outlook for the Australian economy. Economic growth, as measured by Gross Domestic Product (GDP), has been revised upwards from the government’s mid-year economic and fiscal outlook statement. GDP for 2022 is now estimated at a very robust 4.25 percent (previously 3.75 percent) and for 2023 GDP is estimated to increase by 3.50 percent before easing slightly to 2.50 percent in 2024. These are strong growth numbers. 

The equity market will follow the economy. This is another reason to be confident that the share market and other asset prices, including property, should remain buoyant in the period ahead.

Strong economic growth is conducive to strong employment growth. Unemployment now sits at 4 percent. At this level, there have never been more Australians in a job than at present. The budget anticipates unemployment to fall to 3.75 percent in 2023 and remain at this level for the following 3 years. This represents a tight labour market, not seen in nearly 50 years. 

Although full employment is generally positive, a note of caution is warranted. Strong economic growth at a time of full employment can lead to higher wages, which in turn creates inflationary pressure. The appropriate response by the Reserve Bank (RBA) under these circumstances, is to increase interest rates. This is aimed at curtailing consumer demand to a level where inflation is contained within RBA parameters. Currently, the RBA inflation target band is between 2 and 3 percent, on average, over time. The 2022 budget forecasts provide for inflation to move 3 percent in 2023. This, being at the high end of the RBA’s target range, implies higher interest rates from late 2022 and into 2023. The 10-year Australian government bond yield heading toward 2.9 percent in reaction to the Federal Budget, confirms that interest rates are set to rise.

Image: File

It is important however to recognise that interest rates are set to rise for the right reason and is a reflection of the confluence of domestic and global events that have recently tilted in Australia’s favour. This includes historically high commodity prices for Australian exports of LNG, coal, iron ore and for agricultural products like wheat and beef. High export volumes have accompanied these high commodity prices, resulting in Australia presently running a current account surplus with the rest of the world. Coupled with full employment, this outcome is unambiguously positive for all Australians. 

What is good for Australians is also good for our equity market. The current economic and financial state appears likely to persist for the foreseeable future, which implies a continuation of the positive trend in Australia’s share market.  

This Post Market Wrap is presented by Kodari Securities, written by Michael Kodari, CEO at KOSEC.

"Michael Kodari is one of the world's most consistent, top performing investor. A philanthropist and one of the prominent experts of the financial markets, he has been referred to as ‘the brightest 21st century entrepreneur in wealth management' by CNBC Asia and featured on Forbes. Featured on TV as the "Money Expert", on the weekly Sunday program "Elevator Pitch", he is recognised internationally by governments as he was the guest of honour for the event "Inside China's Future", chosen by the Chinese government from the funds management industry, attended by industry leaders, when they arrived in Sydney Australia, on April 2014. Michael and George Soros were the only two financiers in the world invited and chosen by the Chinese government to provide advice, and their expertise on Chinese government asset allocation offshore. With a strong background in funds management and stockbroking, Michael has worked with some of the most successful investors and consulted to leading financial institutions. He was the youngest person ever to appear on the expert panel for Fox, Sky News Business Channel at the age of 25 where he demonstrated his skillset across a 3 year period forming the most consistent track record and getting all his predictions right over that period. Michael writes for key financial publications, is regularly interviewed by various media and conducts conferences around the world."

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Money

Research shows daters are looking for solvent partners

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As the cost-of-living crisis continues to grip Australia, new research reveals a shifting landscape in the realm of dating preferences.

According to the survey conducted by eharmony, an overwhelming two-thirds of Australians are now keen to understand their potential partner’s financial situation before committing to a serious relationship.

The findings indicate a growing trend where individuals are becoming more discerning about whom they invest their affections in, particularly as the economic pressures intensify.

Read more: Why are car prices so high?

The study highlights that nearly half of respondents (48%) consider a potential partner’s debts and income as crucial factors in determining whether to pursue a relationship.

Certain types of debt, such as credit card debt, payday loans, and personal loans, are viewed unfavorably by the vast majority of respondents, signaling a preference for partners who exhibit financial responsibility.

Good debt

While certain forms of debt, such as mortgages and student loans (e.g., HECS), are deemed acceptable or even ‘good’ debt by a majority of respondents, credit card debt, payday loans (such as Afterpay), and personal loans top the list of ‘bad’ debt, with 82%, 78%, and 73% of respondents, respectively, expressing concerns.

Interestingly, even car loans are viewed unfavorably by a significant portion of those surveyed, with 57.5% considering them to be undesirable debt.

Sharon Draper, a relationship expert at eharmony, said the significance of financial compatibility in relationships, noting that discussions around money are increasingly taking place at earlier stages of dating.

“In the past, couples tended to avoid discussing money during the early stages of dating because it was regarded as rude and potentially off-putting,” Draper explains.

“However, understanding each other’s perspectives and habits around finances early on can be instrumental in assessing long-term compatibility.”

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Money

US energy stocks surge amid economic growth and inflation fears

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Investors are turning to U.S. energy shares in droves, capitalizing on surging oil prices and a resilient economy while seeking protection against looming inflationary pressures.

The S&P 500 energy sector has witnessed a remarkable ascent in 2024, boasting gains of approximately 17%, effectively doubling the broader index’s year-to-date performance.

This surge has intensified in recent weeks, propelling the energy sector to the forefront of the S&P 500’s top-performing sectors.

A significant catalyst driving this rally is the relentless rise in oil prices. U.S. crude has surged by 20% year-to-date, propelled by robust economic indicators in the United States and escalating tensions in the Middle East.

Investors are also turning to energy shares as a hedge against inflation, which has proven more persistent than anticipated, threatening to derail the broader market rally.

Ayako Yoshioka, senior portfolio manager at Wealth Enhancement Group, notes that having exposure to commodities can serve as a hedge against inflationary pressures, prompting many portfolios to overweight energy stocks.

Shell Service Station

Shell Service Station

Energy companies

This sentiment is underscored by the disciplined capital spending observed among energy companies, particularly oil majors such as Exxon Mobil and Chevron.

Among the standout performers within the energy sector this year are Marathon Petroleum, which has surged by 40%, and Valero Energy, up by an impressive 33%.

As the first-quarter earnings season kicks into high gear, with reports from major companies such as Netflix, Bank of America, and Procter & Gamble, investors will closely scrutinize economic indicators such as monthly U.S. retail sales to gauge consumer behavior amidst lingering inflation concerns.

The rally in energy stocks signals a broadening of the U.S. equities rally beyond growth and technology companies that dominated last year.

However, escalating inflation expectations and concerns about a hawkish Federal Reserve could dampen investors’ appetite for non-commodities-related sectors.

Peter Tuz, president of Chase Investment Counsel Corp., highlights investors’ focus on the robust economy amidst supply bottlenecks in commodities, especially oil.

This sentiment is echoed by strategists at Morgan Stanley and RBC Capital Markets, who maintain bullish calls on energy shares, citing heightened geopolitical risks and strong economic fundamentals.

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Money

How Australians lose nearly $1 billion to card scammers in a year

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A recent study by Finder has unveiled a distressing trend: Australians are hemorrhaging money to card scams at an alarming rate.

The survey, conducted among 1,039 participants, painted a grim picture, with 2.2 million individuals – roughly 11% of the population – falling prey to credit or debit card skimming in 2023 alone.

The financial toll of these scams is staggering. On average, victims lost $418 each, amounting to a colossal $930 million collectively across the country.

Rebecca Pike, a financial expert at Finder, underscored the correlation between the surge in digital transactions and the proliferation of sophisticated scams.

“Scammers are adapting, leveraging sophisticated tactics that often mimic trusted brands or exploit personal connections. With digital transactions on the rise, it’s imperative for consumers to remain vigilant and proactive in safeguarding their financial assets,” Pike said.

Read more – How Google is cracking down on scams

Concerning trend

Disturbingly, Finder’s research also revealed a concerning trend in underreporting.

Only 9% of scam victims reported the incident, while 1% remained oblivious to the fraudulent activity initially. Additionally, 1% of respondents discovered they were victims of bank card fraud only after the fact, highlighting the insidious nature of these schemes.

Pike urged consumers to exercise heightened scrutiny over their financial statements, recommending frequent monitoring for any unauthorised transactions.

She explained the importance of leveraging notification services offered by financial institutions to promptly identify and report suspicious activity.

“Early detection is key. If you notice any unfamiliar transactions, don’t hesitate to contact your bank immediately. Swift action can mitigate further unauthorised use of your card,” Pike advised, underscoring the critical role of proactive measures in combating card scams.

As Australians grapple with the escalating threat of card fraud, Pike’s counsel serves as a timely reminder of the necessity for heightened vigilance in an increasingly digitised financial landscape.

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