Business Research & Insights

Fixed income is delivering good returns at a time when equities are being impacted by uncertain global markets.

Using debt to build wealth is a well established path. Taking that strategy into an equities portfolio is not so well understood, but it can transform long-term outcomes

Business owners can look forward to energy bill relief, cash flow support and an extension of the instant asset write-off as part of this year's Federal Budget measures.

With inflation at 40-year highs central banks are doing whatever it takes to bring it down.

NAB Private Direct webinar focuses on current trends around Markets and Investments.

Join us for this insightful webinar where our expert panellists discuss a range of topics around global and local investment themes, alternative investments and responsible investing.

The caps on super mean many of Australia’s wealthiest families are looking to park their savings elsewhere. So what are the options?

Keen to invest in commercial property through your self-managed super fund? Make sure you do it wisely and well.

After a wobble early last week, equity markets have resumed their upwards trajectory.

Large sums of private wealth are being shifted from term deposits into fixed income in a bid to increase returns. But you want to be sure you’re doing it the right way. 

Digitalisation is enabling more aspects of our world to connect.

Investors have well and truly embraced sustainable bonds. But do they have what it takes to help better the world?

Australia’s high net worth investors face continued uncertainty – locally and globally. So what’s the smart next step? NAB Private and JBWere CEO Justin Greiner reveals his thoughts on how best to navigate 2021.

Record levels of spending will call for record levels of funding this decade. That’s a golden opportunity for the private markets – and high net worth investors.

Family governance isn’t about deeds and charters so much as good communication, a shared vision and clear decision-making. It takes practice.

Inspired to make a difference in these tough times? Impact investing may be the perfect vehicle.

Growth is key in a low-yield environment. But it’s also vital to protect the wealth you’ve spent years building.

Too many Australian business owners have less super than their employees. Watch this video to find out how you can better plan for your future.

Why it might be time for you to put your portfolio under the ESG microscope.

The bond market has long been opaque, with bonds traded in parcels far too large for the average investors, but what might a more accessible bond market look like?

It’s taken a while to gain momentum, but fixed income is starting to feature in high net worth portfolios in Australia, catching up with offshore peers.

How do you ensure a lifetime of investment and hard work are preserved for generations to come?

The latest Investment Trends research shows the number of high net worth individuals (HNWIs) in Australia rose to a record 460,000 people, reasserting Australia as one of the wealthiest countries in the world.

What are Australia’s wealthiest doing to prepare for tax-time?

High net worth and sophisticated investors are increasingly looking to corporate bonds as a way to preserve capital while delivering higher yields than cash or government bonds.

Growth capital is more important than ever. But while we’re seeing new and innovative forms of funding stepping up to meet this need, it’s clear small and medium-sized businesses must step up too.

A vintage sports car, a pink diamond necklace, a precious work of art – they may be more fun than a share portfolio but do they make sense as investments? We examine the world of high-value collectibles – the good news and the cautionary tales.

Wherever you look, the future is about technology – the way we invest, care for our health and even how we grow our food. We take a look at where technology might take us in 2019.

You know you’ve made it when you can hop on board your superyacht at the weekend and sail past people on the quayside, a crew servicing your every need. But how do you go about joining the marina set – and what’s involved in ownership?

If you think private banking is all about loans and deposits or even wealth strategies, think again, says Jason Murray, the new Customer Executive of NAB Private.

If you think it’s hard to spot the next big digital start-up, imagine picking the next big thing in the art world.

We’re even more committed to greater specialisation with the announcement of a new geographic approach that will mean even more support for our private banking customers.

Socially responsible investing has skyrocketed in Australia over the past few years. What does it mean to invest responsibly and what is its impact?

From a lick of paint to renting out rooms – 10 ideas on boosting the value of your own building.

Buying into start-ups has long been the holy grail of forward-thinking investors. Equity crowdfunding opportunities are finally opening the doors.

The growth of the Reg S bond market has been one of the defining trends of the Asian capital markets in recent years. Driven by the seemingly unstoppable rise of Asian wealth – especially deep-pocketed Chinese investors – US dollar bond sales in the region no longer depend on the participation of US institutions.

2017 was marked by a return to stability following the volatility of recent times and the rise of innovative new products, especially in the green and social sectors.

What will the new year bring in the world of business trends? Whether it’s health or agriculture, hyper local advertising or self-trained artificial intelligence, NAB has one eye on the (crystal) ball.

From a Bedouin tent to a hotel made from ice – these unusual getaways promise a Christmas to remember.

Margin lending can offer you considerable flexibility to build your investment portfolio, just the way you want it.

Winter is over and you’re no longer interested in hibernating. Time to try an extreme sport.

The latest housing market results showed dwelling values held firm nationally.

Under the pressure of managing day-to-day responsibilities, successful business owners don’t always realise they may also be in a position to build a property portfolio.

NAB Global Investment Desk can ensure you find the right investment proposition – particularly helpful if you don’t even know it exists.

With exchange traded funds, gaining exposure to a range of high-tech overseas businesses can be as straightforward as buying a share.

Not yet a wholesale investor? It’s time you found out what you’re missing out on.

With far-reaching changes to super just around the corner, business owners need to understand what they will mean to them – before July 1.

The peak in the housing construction boom is approaching. 'Oversupply' of apartments warrants close monitoring, although various industry constraints will provide an offset.

From the best powder to the brightest bling to the unlikeliest location, we count down eight ski resorts around the globe that are nothing short of exquisite.

Get the latest monthly update on housing market conditions around Australia.

Impact investing (sometimes also referred to as mission-related investing) is an investment strategy where an investor proactively makes investments that can generate both financial returns, as well as intentional social or environmental returns for the community.

Now is the time to consider what action to take.

Did you know that not all investors are eligible to claim the franking credits? There are a number of strategies investors may look to utilise to limit their exposure to a fall in the share price of their chosen stock, while remaining eligible to receive the franking credits.

Research continues to show that companies with gender diversity in their leadership teams deliver better financial results. A new product from NAB – and Australia’s very first ‘social bond’ – allows investors to put their money where their mouth is and finally invest in gender-inclusive organisations.

Private equity has made headlines in Australia over the past year or two, but for many of the wrong reasons. The demise of Dick Smith Holdings was a high profile collapse that impacted many shareholders and retail customers, and a lot of blame has been pointed at the private equity fund manager who floated the business.

Get the latest monthly update on housing market conditions around Australia.

Get the latest monthly update on housing market conditions around Australia.

By state, confidence has improved in VIC and QLD relative to the last survey, but this was offset by much weaker confidence in SA/NT and a small fall in NSW

The key views of NAB and BNZ's economists and strategists

Steve Lambert, EGM Capital Financing, explains, innovation and volatility again dominated 2016. Markets were challenged by social, political and economic events which brought about new opportunities for our customers. We delivered insights and solutions to help them face into the increasing environment of disruption and regulation.

Get the latest monthly update on housing market conditions around Australia.

The market has been largely focussed on the US Election over the past month – and is now dealing with a fundamental change with the election of Donald Trump as President.

Read more to learn how you could use annuities in your portfolio.

Forward exchange contracts (“FECs”), which are usually between a bank and a customer, enable the exchange of one currency into another at a future date and a pre-agreed exchange rate.

NAB, in collaboration with CoreLogic, released the Spring Edition of the Housing Market Report on Monday 21 November.

Get the latest monthly update on housing market conditions around Australia.

Australian housing market sentiment improved in the third quarter of 2016, supported by more positive expectations for house price growth.

In early September equity markets sold off after a US Federal Reserve official suggested interest rates could be increased at the September Fed meeting. Markets recovered later in the month when interest rates went unchanged.

As Australia’s population ages and ‘baby boomer’ retirements head toward their zenith in 2025, a discussion on the Retirement Risk Zone, that is the 10 years leading to retirement, is timely.

Get the latest monthly update on housing market conditions around Australia.

The bigger picture – A Global and Australian economic perspective.

Get the latest monthly update on housing market conditions around Australia.

The “X factors” that had been dominating negative market views – bad debts in the Italian and Chinese banking system, terrorism, political issues and the rise of anti-globalisation – have given way to a “fear of missing out” rally.

We review July conditions and recommend overweight exposure in cash and alternative assets, with underweight positions in fixed interest, property and Australian equities, while keeping neutral exposure to international equities.

We review July conditions and recommend overweight exposure in cash and alternative assets, with underweight positions in fixed interest, property and Australian equities, while keeping neutral exposure to international equities.

It was a difficult month for equities with an initial sell off in early June, following the release of weak jobs growth figures in the United States and another decline later in the month following the UK’s decision to leave the European Union.

This is the sixth in a series of reports prepared by the Australian Centre for Financial Studies for National Australia Bank aimed at explaining the potential role of corporate bonds in retail investor portfolios and promoting growth of the corporate bond market.

Setting up a new business is inherently risky. Insurance can help a lot – as long as you remember to revisit it as your business grows and changes.

Brexit is a significant shift in the geopolitical landscape, with associated uncertainty. Investors will need compensation for this with lower share prices. We believe a 15% global equity sell-off over the next 6-8 weeks is a reasonable base case.

The concept of assessing a company’s quality gained popularity after the collapse of the tech bubble of 2001. Here we explore the quantitative and qualitative measures implemented to determine quality investments.

We’re pleased to announce the launch of our new brand and exciting new partnership that combines the strengths of both NAB Private and JBWere.

The term ‘Helicopter Money’ comes from a thought experiment by Milton Friedman in which helicopters dropped money from the sky.

Read more to learn how you could use asset-backed securities in your portfolio

We all want to understand and profit from the latest trends, particularly when it comes to investment opportunities and strategies - but is it worthwhile jumping on the bandwagon? Here we explore the upsides and downsides of investing for or against market trends.

Investors commonly take the view that bonds are not a good investment in an environment where the central bank is expected to increase interest rates, but the decision may not always be that simple.

In our April update, Nick Ryder, JBWere Investment Strategist, highlights that the local equity market faces a number of headwinds from the rise in the AUD, lower commodity prices, higher potential bank capital requirements and profit margin pressures.

Understanding the structure of different investment options is key to choosing what’s right for your objectives and risk profile. Sally Campbell from JBWere, explains the benefits of the main types of product you can include in your portfolio.

In our March update, Nick Ryder, NAB Private Wealth Investment Strategist, talks mixed messages with slumps in developed markets, India and China while the US posted slight improvements and Australia performed reasonably well. Meanwhile, Europe’s inflation entered negative territory.

Sally Campbell from JBWere looks at the carbon footprint considerations within fund managers’ assets, highlighting that some are more progressive than others.

The property market is clearly cooling as a result of deterioration in affordability due to higher prices and marginally higher mortgage rates.

In this discussion of alternative investments, Nick Ryder explains that the increased weighting in this asset class is the result of less attractive prices in traditional asset classes.

Setting long-term asset allocation targets in a portfolio and achieving them are two different things. Here we discuss portfolio drift and how to manage it.

In November we’ve seen small declines in dwelling prices in Sydney and Melbourne with auction clearance rates falling to 60% along with average selling time. Reversing recent trends, prices in other metros rose in November.

In our December update, Nick Ryder, NAB Private Wealth Investment Strategist, highlights how equity markets rose again in November helped by expectations of further monetary stimulus from the European Central Bank.

Many Australians dream of a financial windfall that would significantly improve their lives forever, but how much is enough? In this special report, we ask over 2,000 Australians to tell us how much they need.

Movements in the residential property market affect everyone - whether you’re an investor, an owner occupier, or a renter. After several years of incredibly strong house price growth, primarily in Sydney and Melbourne, there is now heated debate over where prices are likely to move.

The growth of the industrial internet phenomenon and its impact on our automated life. We look at how this trend is evolving the structure of companies that manufacture hardware and software technology.

Nick Ryder, NAB Private Wealth Investment Strategist, highlights how equity markets recorded their strongest rise in four years in October and continue to offer the best prospective returns of any asset class.

Food catering has evolved from being an add-on to mainstream shopping complex merchandising, to an attraction in its own right.

Sally Campbell from JBWere looks at timing the market given recent volatility and how viewing the data more closely can help you understand what’s really happening below the surface.

The Chinese Government’s surprise move to devalue the Yuan and make daily prices subject to market forces has prompted debate.

Nick Ryder, NAB Private Wealth Investment Strategist, provides insights into the emerging self-driving car industry.

Individuals should consider the value of their human capital as well their financial assets when calculating their net worth.

Chinese economic data has been weak, causing significant weakness in global equity markets In Australia, second quarter economic growth was lack lustre and there was a surprise fall in retail sales, but other measures of economic activity such as building approvals and employment look good.

Diverse opportunities in the non-Central Business District (CBD) office sector mean high net worth investors can invest through pooled/syndicated vehicles or directly. Peter Cashmore, NAB Senior Real Estate Equities Analyst, outlines what investors need to know.

Former shopping centre developer, grazier, entrepreneur and now magazine owner, Peter Howarth, explains how his personal passions drove the success of his enterprises.

Global financial markets recovered in July following the debt deal in Greece and stabilisation of the Chinese stock market. Locally, the news is also good – the unemployment rate appears to have peaked while business conditions and confidence have also picked up.

The United Nations-supported Principles for Responsible Investment Initiative is an international network of investors that support responsible investing.

Nick Ryder, NAB Private Wealth Investment Strategist, explains takeover and defence tactics used by listed companies.

An investment portfolio can be designed based on risk tolerance, age or lifestyle objectives but using historic average returns (of different asset classes) to build that portfolio can be dangerous.

Without appropriate protection, your hard-earned assets could be at risk. Paul Jarvis, whose team manages the wealth of clients in the NAB Health sector, discusses how insurance, tax planning and a collaborative team of advisers can help you build a successful practice.

Nick Ryder, NAB Private Wealth Investment Strategist, explains the different ways analysts and fund managers value listed company shares.

Ructions in Greece and China are worrisome for investors but are unlikely to have a material impact on markets or on asset allocation recommendations.

Financial markets remain focussed on a Greek exit from the Eurozone, wild gyrations on the Chinese equity market and further hints about a rise in US interest rates. Locally, markets are concerned about falling commodity prices and strong property prices.

While many owners of small-and-medium-sized businesses won’t hesitate to insure their physical assets, they often overlook the importance of insuring themselves.

NAB joins with the Australian Centre for Financial Studies to launch their report ‘Improving access to the Corporate Bond market for retail investors’ which assesses where the market currently is, the factors affecting its growth, and the impediments to connecting investors and issuers.

Women are still under-represented in senior positions across public and private organisations. Speakers at the recent Women in Health Leadership symposium considered why this is the case, and whether financial acumen could help women to achieve the most senior positions.

The US Federal Reserve expects the US unemployment rate will fall to 5% by year end. Locally, the Reserve Bank of Australia is hoping lower interest rates will translate to a lower Australian dollar which would help the non-mining sectors.

Sally Campbell, Executive Director, JBWere, explains why investors should stick with their active fund managers, despite a period of underperformance by some.

Australia’s Real Estate Investment Trusts (REITs) have regained popularity as investors seek high yielding investments in a low interest rate environment.

The link between bond yields and share prices over the past few weeks has spooked many investors but may be good news.

As economic and consumer dynamics change, Australia’s charities are looking for new ways to earn a buck. Andrew Loveridge, Head of Government, Education and Community Business, and Nicole Brasz, Marketing and Fundraising Director at Save the Children, discuss the brave new world of fundraising.

NAB has identified the top five strategies business owners should consider when they’re preparing for End of Financial Year.

Japan's unemployment rate has fallen, it's weak currency benefited its Current account and led to a surge in the stock market and Japanese banks are stable, well-capitalised and moderately profitable.

After years of studying to be a medical practitioner you’re finally earning an income. Philip Mawkes, a Senior Relationship Manager at Medfin, explains why it’s important to make your financial future a priority and shares a five-point plan to help you get off to a flying start.

This edition highlights some of Australia’s successful businesses. Our cover story reveals the secrets to Baz Luhrmann and Catherine Martin’s successful partnership. We also chat to John Bertocchi and Peter Paolino of Bertocchi smallgoods and Fonda co-founders David Youl and Tim McDonald.

Giving to charity grew by 2% over the year to February 2015. Growth slowed in most age groups and in all regions. Despite these challenges, the average donation size for all charities increased by $2 over the past year to $336 per donor.

Peter Hogan from MLC shares his analysis of the 2015 Federal Budget focusing on four key areas: personal taxation, superannuation, social security and small business.

The US economy recorded slower jobs growth in April while GDP growth slowed to a crawl. This means the US Federal Reserve may delay raising interest rates until September. In Australia, jobs growth was higher than expected while core inflation sits comfortably in the middle of the Reserve Bank’s target range.

Developed market equities appear expensive compared to average long-term price-to-earnings ratios. However, given relatively subdued earnings growth, many investors argue that they aren’t expensive when compared to current bond yields.

The End of Financial Year (EOFY) provides a good opportunity to consider strategies that can save you tax and maximise your investment returns.

The US Federal Reserve has given itself the flexibility to raise interest rates from June, responding to record jobs growth. Meanwhile in Australia, consumer and business confidence has eased back in the most recent surveys, despite the recent interest rate cut.

In Australia, interest in ethical investing (an investment method which looks to maximise financial and social returns) has continued to rise, but there are several ways to action your wishes.

Knowing when to reduce the proportion of equities in a portfolio and when to increase exposure to other asset classes like property, cash and bonds, can be part science and part art. Valuations, fundamentals and sentiment all play a role.

NAB’s Director of Fixed Income, Mark Todd, is joined by John Pearce from UniSuper and Nick Bishop from Aberdeen to discuss where rates are headed, equities with sustainable dividends, and whether we're in a bond yield bubble.

NAB’s Director of Fixed Income, Mark Todd, speaks with Tano Pelosi from Antares and Matthew Johnson from UBS about inflation and interest rates in Europe, along with the actions of European Central Bank President Mario Draghi.

A February interest rate cut and a strong company reporting season buoyed the Australian share market while overseas, resolution of Greek debt negotiations and continuing monetary stimulus, benefited developed global markets.

Over recent years, the impressive growth of ETFs has seen somewhat of a reversal back to direct investing with more than 100 ETFs now listed on the ASX, offering investors the opportunity to quickly and easily access global equity, bond, currency and commodity markets.

With bond yields at or near record lows in many parts of the world, particularly Europe, but with share markets in the United States and Germany hitting fresh record highs, signals are mixed, so it may be time to consider alternative investment opportunities.

NAB’s Director of Fixed Income, Mark Todd, is joined by Steve Goldman from Kapstream and Adam Goldstein from Skeggs Goldstein to chat about the global economy and key US economic indicators, and how they could affect US Federal Reserve decisions.

NAB’s Director of Fixed Income, Mark Todd, is joined by Steve Goldman from Kapstream and Adam Goldstien from Skeggs Goldstein to discuss how diversifying across asset classes during this time of low yield can still generate decent returns.

Long-term US research shows investors are frequently driven by fear and greed in their decisions - for example, selling out in weak markets. However, more recent findings show the average investor has learned from some past mistakes.

2014 was another strong year for international shares, with only part of the gains for Australian investors attributed to a weaker AUD. However, with the prospect of Australian interest rates falling further, investors’ future income from currency hedging is unlikely to be as high.

Global equity prices in developed markets lost 0.5% in January, with strong gains in Europe offset by weakness in the United States. Australian shares rose 3.3% while the Australian dollar fell four cents to US$0.78, against a strengthening US Dollar.

When succession planning, how do you recognise the on-farm contribution of children who’ve stayed working in the business? National Manager of Agribusiness Wealth at NAB, Bill Adams, illustrates how putting a dollar value on this ‘sweat equity’ can help explain estate planning decisions.

Overall, global equity markets are in a sweet spot. China, Japan and Eurozone Central Banks are looking at ways to maintain economic growth, while the United States has completed its quantitative easing and is looking at the appropriate time to raise official interest rates.

Global equity markets extended the October sharp rally through November, while gains were broadly based in Europe, Japan and the United States. Locally, fourth quarter data continues to show improvement in business credit and capital investment from non-mining sectors.

NAB’s Director of Fixed Income, Mark Todd, is joined by Ken Hyman (Antares) and Francesco De Stradis (Ord Minnett) to discuss the Federal Open Market Committee's decision to lift interest rates and drop GDP forecasts.

NAB’s Director of Fixed Income, Mark Todd, asks John Moore from Northward Capital to explain what to look out for when searching for a fund manager.

NAB’s Director of Fixed Income, Mark Todd, is joined by Ken Hyman (Antares) and Francesco De Stradis (Ord Minnett), to consider whether the market will see 'herd instincts' kick in when investors exit the carry trade.

It’s tempting for business owners to buy their own commercial property – the reasons are many and varied. So what’s the right step for your business? Finding an answer requires some careful consideration. We look at the pros and cons of renting versus owning.

While one economic indicator is a statistic about economic activity, a range of economic indicators paint a picture of how the Australian economy is performing. They can also influence interest rates, exchange rates, commodity and stock market prices. Nick Ryder explains them in detail.

While equity valuation measures imply US shares are about 60% overvalued versus long-term averages, returns could be as low at 0.2% per annum if valuations return to long-term averages. Therefore, as Nick Ryder explains, there’s a need to find additional sources of portfolio returns.

Global equity markets staged a sharp turnaround in October. It was led by the US where their Federal Reserve reassured markets that interest rate rises remain data dependent. Meanwhile, there was additional modest improvement seen in Australian business and consumer confidence.

Australians are giving more to charity than ever before, with the average annual donation size for all charities increasing by 3.6 per cent ($11) to $315 per donor. Overall charitable giving growth also continues an upward trend, increasing by 6.4 per cent in the 12 months to August 2014.

The latest issue of Business View magazine celebrates successful Australian business women. In our cover story we talk to top horse trainer Gai Waterhouse about overcoming barriers and what underpins the success of her business. We also chat to Collette Dinnigan and Lisa McGuigan.

With the world’s fourth largest pool of funds under management, Australia’s superannuation industry is only set to grow. Here’s a look at how our ageing population is managing its retirement funds for the future.

Nearly half of Australians are undecided on whether they will have to sell the family home to fund their retirement, the latest MLC Wealth Sentiment Survey has found. The quarterly survey has found 11% of Australians already plan to sell the family home to fund their retirement…

While the US economy remains robust, Australian shares fell 5.4% as markets digested falling commodity prices, a weaker Aussie dollar and the possible introduction of policy brakes on housing credit, as James Wright, JBWere Chief Investment Officer reports.

Managed funds offer an attractive way for investors to obtain exposure to an asset class that would be very difficult to access directly or in a diversified form. But how do you select one from the thousands on offer? Nick Ryder, NAB Private Wealth Investment Strategist, investigates.

With the large fall in the Australian Dollar over the past month, we’re reminded that currencies are good “shock absorbers” in financial markets and the economy. We share some suggestions for how best to manage your portfolio in this changing environment.

A recent survey shows that over half of all Australians don’t expect to have enough money to retire on. NAB Group Chief Economist, Alan Oster and General Manager of Wealth, Business Banking, Iain Rogers look at how small business owners and individuals can better prepare for retirement.

NAB’s Director of Fixed Income, Mark Todd, asks Mercer's Russell Clarke and Chris Joye from the AFR to explain what a Carry Trade is.

NAB’s Director of Fixed Income, Mark Todd, chats with Mercer's Russell Clarke and Chris Joye from the AFR about longevity, and how it’s a game changer for asset allocation.

Since 2000, changes have been made to how philanthropic efforts are treated by the Australian tax system – offering smarter ways for donors to arrange their giving to benefit them and future generations. JBWere Consultant, John McLeod discusses how to structure your philanthropic giving.

NAB’s Director of Fixed Income, Mark Todd, discusses the economic outlook for Europe with Grant Eshuys (Citibank) and Mark Bayley (Aquasia), and together they explore the challenges the European nations are facing.

With better US economic data, global markets were stronger in August. Locally, as James Wright, JBWere Chief Investment Officer explains, company reporting season was positive and stocks rewarded for delivering solid earnings, yields or capital management.

People invest so they can have more money in the future than they have today. However, they have different objectives which generally fall into three categories: preserve capital; generate income and grow capital, as Nick Ryder, NAB Private Wealth Investment Strategist reports.

There are options to consider when allocating property to your portfolio. NAB Private Wealth aligns its views with those of institutional investors and favours core unlisted commercial property, with low to moderate gearing, rather than listed property securities or residential property.

NAB’s Director of Fixed Income, Mark Todd, chats with Mercer's Sue Wang and the National Party's Kevin Hogan about disengaged investors - people who are uninterested in closely monitoring their superannuation - and the importance of more simple and transparent products for these people.

NAB’s Director of Fixed Income, Mark Todd, discusses how changes in Australia's demographics threaten to have major impacts upon the Australian economy with Mercer's Sue Wang and the National Party's Kevin Hogan.

Despite US equity markets posting fresh records in July, a late, large fall saw equity markets finish lower. While valuations are stretched, JBWere Chief Investment Officer, James Wright, reports that the US economic recovery should support current earnings forecasts.

After deciding that US equity market valuations are over-stretched, we’ve changed our asset allocation recommendations. In particular, we’ve decreased our exposure to international shares from over-weight to neutral and increased our cash weighting from neutral to overweight.

Equity income funds are those which aim to generate income from investing in shares. But as NAB Private Wealth Investment Strategist, Nick Ryder reports, the issue is whether investors should care whether they get profits through dividends or capital gains.

Taking a career break to raise kids has been identified as the most significant barrier to having sufficient retirement savings and majority of survey participants (68%) have given little consideration to a major future financial setback, according to the latest survey findings.

NAB’s Director of Fixed Income, Mark Todd, chats with Adam Goldstien from Skeggs Goldstien and Simon Ibbetson from Millinium about the property markets and how a change in these markets could affect inflation and therefore the banks.

Even though equity prices are high compared to historical levels, we believe equity valuations are not excessive, so equities are still attractive compared to other asset classes. We provide insights on our favoured asset classes and how best to position your portfolio.

The US equity market posted fresh highs in June, but price support remains good globally and locally, says James Wright, Chief Investment Officer, JBWere. Read more for currency and property news from the NAB FX Strategy team and Nick Ryder, NAB Private Wealth Investment Strategist.

It’s time to revisit your global equity exposure. Following a period of strong performance in international shares, it may be a good time to consider taking some profits and rebalancing your portfolio back to long term target weightings, says Duncan Niven, Analyst JBWere.

NAB’s Director of Fixed Income, Mark Todd, chats with Adam Goldstien from Skeggs Goldstien and Simon Ibbetson from Millinium about which asset classes are facing bubbles, along with discussing some markets where good value lies.

NAB’s Director of Fixed Income, Mark Todd, is joined by NAB Head of Research Peter Jolly and Laminar economist Stephen Roberts to discuss the Federal Reserve's Balance Sheet.

NAB’s Director of Fixed Income, Mark Todd, is joined by NAB Head of Research Peter Jolly and Laminar economist Stephen Roberts to discuss the Australian and US economies, along with the Australian Federal Budget and issues posed by our ageing population.

NAB’s Director of Fixed Income, Mark Todd, chats about where interest rates are headed and their subsequent impact on term deposits with AFR columnist, Chris Joye and Montgomery Investment Management strategist, Andrew Macken.

NAB’s Director of Fixed Income, Mark Todd, discusses the 2014-15 outlook for the US Federal reserve and interest rates with AFR columnist, Chris Joye and Montgomery Investment Management stategist, Andrew Macken.

The end of financial year is a busy time for the businesses, but there’s still an opportunity to get yours into shape for June 30. Executive General Manager of NAB Business, Angela Mentis shares seven practical strategies to help your business make the most of tax time.

The end of financial year is a busy time for the healthcare sector, but there’s still an opportunity to get your business into shape for June 30. NAB Health General Manager, Nehemiah Richardson shares seven practical strategies to help your business make the most of tax time.

NAB’s Director of Fixed Income, Mark Todd, is joined by FIIG Analyst Gavan Madson and FNArena Analyst Rudi Filapek-Vandyck to discuss the proposed legislation to be introduced known as 'simple bond legislation', which has the intention of opening the bond market up to retail investors.

Over the past couple of years, Australian investors have increased investment in overseas assets, particularly equities. Global equities exposure isn't always what it seems as classifications and labels may not reflect the full picture.

In the leadup to the end of the financial year, NAB Private Wealth shows you how to build and protect your wealth the tax effective way.

The synchronised movement in bond and equity prices has many strategists wondering what is going on - both the bond market and equity market cannot be right about future growth. We provide insights on our favoured asset classes and how best to position your portfolio.

Last month, investors ignored mixed economic data and geopolitical risks to push the US share market to a record high, reports James Wright, Chief Investment Officer, JBWere. Read more to also find out what happened in currency markets and the residential property market from Nick Ryder

NAB’s Director of Fixed Income, Mark Todd, introduces the concept of aged-based investing in corporate bonds and how institutional players are becoming active in this space.

In this edition, Business View magazine highlights the success of businesses working with, inspired and supported by family. Our cover story features how Mildura Brewery owners Stefano de Pieri and wife Donata Carrazza successfully blend family and business.

NAB’s Director of Fixed Income, Mark Todd, answers a viewer question on inflation and its impact upon cash investments with FIIG Analyst Gavan Madson and FNArena Analyst Rudi Filapek-Vandyck.

NAB’s Director of Fixed Income, Mark Todd, introduces the 'Bond Access Service', a way in which to easily access the bond market.

NAB’s Director of Fixed Income, Mark Todd, outlines the concept of market volatility, absorbing volatility and what it means for self-managed super funds.

Farmers looking to retire or play a less active role in the family business have a special set of considerations at tax time. Farmers are encouraged to investigate the most effective tax solutions and their longer term wealth creation.

NAB’s Director of Fixed Income, Mark Todd, discusses what is happening in the Equity Market with FNArena analyst Rudi Fliepek-Vandyck, and how 2014 is looking like the year that the investors from the sidelines will come back to the share market in light of volumes coming back.

NAB’s Director of Fixed Income, Mark Todd, discusses growth of BHP and the impact of capital expenditure on inflation with Gavan Madson, Analyst at FIIG and FNArena Analyst Rudi Filapek-Vandyck.

In this episode of Your Money, Your Call, NAB’s Director of Fixed Income, Mark Todd, looks at the developments in the corporate bond market, including Simple Bond Legislation, with AFR columnist, Chris Joye and Montgomery Investment Management strategist, Andrew Macken.

NAB’s Director of Fixed Income, Mark Todd, is joined by FIIG Analyst Gavan Madson and FNArena Analyst Rudi Filapek-Vandyck to discuss Qantas credit default swaps, and cyclical yield outperforming in rising markets and underperforming in falling markets.

Charitable giving grew by more than 8% in the year to February 2014, which is a substantial improvement on the 3.3% rate of growth seen in the previous year. Overall, charitable giving has grown by almost 19% since December 2010.

NAB’s Director of Fixed Income, Mark Todd is joined by Sue Wang from Mercer to explain the 'My Super' reforms and how changing your superannuation investment strategy as you age can make a big difference on your retirement.

NAB’s Director of Fixed Income, Mark Todd, talks with two analysts about what they look for apart from growth when analysing a company - including finance risk, business risk, management history, assets, gearing, mix of debt and equity.

NAB’s Director of Fixed Income, Mark Todd, discusses the issues and strategies around setting up a self-managed super fund (SMSF) with Sue Wang from Mercer and Chris Black from the Laminar Group.

NAB’s Director of Fixed Income, Mark Todd, is joined by FNArena analyst Rudi Filapek-Vandyck. They begin by discussing investing in BHP stock, before assessing inflation - including current forecasts and how velocity, innovation and the labour market can impact upon it.

NAB’s Director of Fixed Income, Mark Todd, discusses the current trends in mining stocks and why they've become attractive to dividend hunters with FNArena analyst Rudi Filapek-Vandyck.

NAB’s Director of Fixed Income, Mark Todd discusses setting-up a self-managed superannuation fund with Sue Wang from Mercer.

In a break with tradition, young people are taking a more active interest in their superannuation with the 30-49 year old group being the most concerned about planning for retirement, according to the latest quarterly MLC Wealth Sentiment Survey.

NAB’s Director of Fixed Income, Mark Todd, chats with Steve Lambert, Executive General Manager of Capital Markets at NAB about the evolution of the Corporate Bond Market, why it's important and how it relates to the individual investor.

Marketing can help you to build a practice, run it successfully and ultimately make a profitable exit. Jason Borody, Managing Director of Vividus Marketing, talks about opportunities, challenges and how the internet has made communications a priority for the healthcare sector.

There’s been a lot for Aussie businesses to talk about recently – from the action on Melbourne’s Chapel Street to where to find the richest retirees. Here’s a selection of recent business insights to help you uncover the opportunities across all business sectors in 2014.

How to add Australian Debt Securities & Corporate Bonds to a portfolio. The fourth research report examining the Australian corporate bond market. In this report we place the Australian market in an international context and speculate on what the future holds for the asset class.

Almost one third (31.7%) of Australians expect a large financial shortfall at retirement with a further 25% expecting a shortfall to some extent, according to a special report: MLC Retirement Survey.

NAB’s Director of Fixed Income, Mark Todd, is joined by Sue Wang from Mercer and Zach Zacharia from Centra Wealth to discuss ideas behind researching stocks before looking at developments in Managed Discretionary Accounts.

National wellbeing deteriorates for the second straight quarter. The NAB Australian Wellbeing Index fell to 63.5 points in Q4 (64.4 points in Q3), with all four survey questions - satisfied life, worthwhile life, happy yesterday and not anxious yesterday - rated lower.

New Year is the perfect time to be considering and reviewing your strategies for the year and putting your plans in place to make the most of opportunities. Our message to farmers is that if they’re ready for more in 2014, we’re here and ready for them.

The summer edition of Business View Magazine explores the ecosystem behind the business of sport, looking at how entrepreneurs working in and with the sports sector deal with changes in the business environment. Download the free iPad edition via our new publications app NAB Think.

What thought have you given to the future of your business if suddenly you can no longer work or indeed function? There’s more to preparing for the future than just writing a will. Approximately 50 percent of Australians have prepared a will and only half again have addressed all the issues.

Donations grew 2.5% (12-month average) in August with an average annual donation of $312 per donor. Giving grew fastest for “Other” (12.8%) and Health & Disability (9.1%) charities, but fell for Humanitarian Services (-3.2%) and Medical Research & Services (-2.4%) charities.

How to add Australian Debt Securities & Corporate Bonds to a portfolio. We bring you the third of five research reports examining the Australian corporate bond market. In this report we cover the important topic of accessing the fixed income market and the various methods investors can use to access debt securities and corporate bonds.

It’s never too early to get your practice ready for sale. As Paul Freeman, Chief Executive Officer of Medfin Finance, points out, potential purchasers look for the kind of well-run business that's also efficient and profitable for you. Here are his tips for getting it up to speed.

A business that depends on one person for its success is a business at risk - but stepping back is rarely easy, particularly for the founder of a family business. Bill Noye, Partner in charge of KPMG Private Enterprise in Brisbane, suggests ways to make the process as smooth as possible.

In this edition, we delve into the experiences of finance commentator turned business builder Alan Kohler, detail bringing an invention to life and explore running a business in an extreme climate. We also cover retaining staff, handling tax in your SMSF and negotiating contracts in China.

Chances are you have a self managed super fund (SMSF) because you like the extra flexibility that it can provide. But to make the most of your fund, you need to keep up with the latest rules and legislation changes.

Understanding how the Federal Budget impacts you and your business can be complex. Our team of leading economists, tax and superannuation experts keep you up-to-date with all the latest news from the 2013 Federal Budget so we can help you get all your ducks in a row.

For business owners, the end of financial year is the time to get things in order. Here are 11 strategies that could help you build and protect your personal and business wealth in a tax-effective manner.

Do you know how much your business is worth? A valuation can provide a sound foundation for growth as well as help you to get the best possible outcome from a future sale or merger. Greg Hayes, Chairman of Hayes Knight National Group, explains how.

With over $1.5 trillion of savings invested, superannuation remains the largest asset for most Australians outside the family home, and one of the most tax-effective savings vehicles available.

The carbon pricing budget black hole may sound bad now, but it’ll get far worse due to completely unrealistic assumptions in the Coalition’s budget costings. It’s been reported that Treasury will now dramatically revise down the expected revenue from the government’s carbon pricing scheme.

Charitable giving slowed in the year to February 2013 as economic conditions and consumption weakened, and business and consumers became more cautious. The NAB Charitable Giving Index grew by 2.6% (12-month average) in February 2013 – down from 8.3% in the same period one year earlier.

Want to maximise your retirement savings? Property investment through a Self Managed Super Fund could be an effective way to save for your retirement and may be tax effective.

Self managed super funds (SMSFs) have a number of benefits for farmers including control, flexibility and concessional tax treatment, but they’re not for everyone. Bill Adams, NAB’s National Manager of Agribusiness Wealth, discusses the pros and cons of SMSFs.

Basel 3 represents significant regulatory change, with profound impact on the global financial system, including Australia. This publication and related articles look at the likely impacts of Basel 3 and potential opportunities for Superannuation funds.

As a business owner, you diversify risks and investments everyday, but you mightn’t be doing this in your personal life. This week on Kochie’s Business Builders, Iain Rogers of NAB Wealth shares some simple strategies that’ll help build, manage and protect your wealth for the future.

In this edition of Business View, we talk to Federal Treasurer Wayne Swan and hear from some of Australia’s most unique and successful business owners, including Maggie Beer. We also offer new angles on pricing, marketing, self managed super funds and creativity in the workplace.

We bring you the first of five research reports examining the Australian Corporate Bond Market, prepared for National Australia Bank by the Australian Centre for Financial Studies.

A major survey conducted by NAB Agribusiness found that farmers approaching retirement are far less certain about how and when they’ll transition out of the business compared to younger farmers. Read on for more survey findings

Where many farming families trip up is that they have no succession plan in place. Help keep your farm’s future secure by rolling out a succession plan now, cautions NAB’s Agribusiness Wealth National Manager, Bill Adams. He explains the process.

As far as property performance goes, it’s been a mixed bag in 2012 with residential outperforming the commercial sector. James Connell, who heads up Melbourne real estate agency Marshall White, discusses property performance in 2012.

The first NAB Charitable Giving Index shows that charitable giving is growing, despite a softening domestic economy, flat employment growth and persistent consumer cautiousness. NAB and data analytics firm Quantium reviewed donations made by credit card, direct debit, BPAY and EFTPOS

Michael Bassingthwaighte, CEO of not-for-profit health insurer Peoplecare, talks cash flow, growth, decision-making and regulatory management.

This digital version of the 13th issue of Business View includes case studies and features designed to help you get your business firing on all cylinders.

Property can be a means to reduce your tax bills and help fund your retirement. Read up on tax tips and property strategies for the healthcare sector with NAB Health Senior Financial Planner, Matthew Wilson.

To reduce risk exposure, health professionals are investing in shares outside the health sector. JBWere’s Chief Investment Officer, Giselle Roux, details this trend.

Self-managed superannuation can help you build personal wealth away from the farm. But you need to be aware of the rules.

No matter what the size of your business, it’s never too early to start securing a retirement nest egg and planning how to comfortably fund your future lifestyle.

A lucrative property investment is one that outperforms the market in capital growth. And, as John McGrath, CEO of McGrath Estate Agents says, while yield is important, the serious windfall comes when you identify a hyper-growth area through solid research, observation and calculated risk. “Imagine if you’d bought a couple of Paddington terraces in Sydney […]

Investing in assets away from your agribusiness can be a worthwhile strategy for diversifying risk. We outline some pointers to consider when diversifying off-farm to help reduce exposure to factors such as weather cycles and commodity price fluctuations.

Business owners can gain valuable tax concessions by establishing a self-managed superannuation fund.

A business’s most valuable asset comes in human form, in the expertise of owners and employees.