Money

Winners and losers from Albanese’s first Australian budget

Published

3 years ago

October 26, 2022

Labor has delivered its first Australian federal budget since 2013, with Treasurer Jim Chalmers addressing the nation.

As Australians face increasing cost of living pressures, the government is hoping to fulfill some election promises and set the tone for how it will govern.

Winners and losers

Families – Winner. There’s $4.7 billion worth of spending in the budget over the next four years.

Wages – Loser. Rising inflation means real wages are expected to continue to go backwards for another year at least. Unemployment is forecast to increase and the electricity and gas forecasts are so concerning that Treasurer Jim Chalmers is even threatening market intervention.

The environment – Winner. More money has been set aside for conservation.

Law breakers – Loser. Fines are set to increase, for example for tax evasion.

This financial year’s deficit forecast has halved and net debt is tipped to be about $100 million lower than originally forecast for 2026.

But Australia is facing a future where an ageing population is going to hit the government in two ways — fewer people paying income tax and greater welfare payments.

Female participation

Labor’s focus is firmly on improving female workforce participation with its election policy to increase childcare subsidies for families earning less than $530,000 a year.

“Cheaper child care is a game-changing investment in families, our workforce, and our economy,” he argued early in his budget speech.

Money

Australia’s sharemarket set for weakest annual return in three years

Australia’s sharemarket set for weakest return in three years; gains from gold and critical minerals offset blue-chip losses.

Published

10 hours ago

December 22, 2025

Harvey Vargas

Australia’s sharemarket set for weakest return in three years; gains from gold and critical minerals offset blue-chip losses.

Australia’s sharemarket is on track for its weakest annual return in three years, with the S&P/ASX 200 Index expected to finish 2025 up around 6 per cent. Investors are feeling the impact of major losses from blue-chip companies, including Commonwealth Bank and CSL, which have dragged overall performance.

Despite the slow year, certain sectors provided a boost. Gains were largely driven by surging gold prices and rising interest in critical minerals, helping offset some of the losses from larger companies.

Smaller companies in the resources sector outperformed their larger counterparts, highlighting a shift in investor focus towards niche opportunities and high-demand commodities.

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Money

US stocks surge amid AI hype despite market volatility

US stock market bounced back, S&P 500 up 16% in 2023, driven by AI excitement amid policy uncertainties.

Published

12 hours ago

December 22, 2025

Harvey Vargas

US stock market bounced back, S&P 500 up 16% in 2023, driven by AI excitement amid policy uncertainties.

The US stock market has experienced a rollercoaster year, with the S&P 500 nearly entering a bear market in April due to tariff concerns. Investor sentiment shifted following policy changes from President Trump, setting the stage for a dramatic rebound.

By June, the S&P 500 was hitting new records, fueled by excitement over artificial intelligence and its impact on the tech sector. Corporate profit forecasts improved, contributing to an overall annual gain of 16%, despite ongoing market fluctuations.

Yet, the S&P 500 still trails international markets, reflecting lingering policy uncertainties in the US.

Investors are watching closely to see how domestic and global factors will shape the next year.

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Money

Stocks rally ahead of Thanksgiving as markets log four days of gains

Markets gain momentum ahead of Thanksgiving, with the Dow up 388 points and Oracle rising 4% amid investor optimism.

Published

4 weeks ago

November 27, 2025

Harvey Vargas

Markets gain momentum ahead of Thanksgiving, with the Dow up 388 points and Oracle rising 4% amid investor optimism.

Markets are moving into the Thanksgiving break with strong momentum, as stocks notch four straight days of gains. The Dow Jones Industrial Average jumped 388 points, while the S&P 500 added 0.9%, pushing both indexes toward their best week since June.

Oracle led major movers, rising more than 4% after Deutsche Bank reaffirmed its bullish outlook on the tech giant. Broad investor optimism continues building across sectors as economic data softens and earnings remain resilient.

All eyes are now on the Federal Reserve and what potential shifts in interest-rate policy may mean for the markets. U.S. markets will close Thursday for the Thanksgiving holiday and reopen Friday for a shortened trading session.

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