Stay up to date with what’s happened in the Australian economy and markets over the past month.

2026 kicked off with some encouraging signs but comes with a sting in the tail as global uncertainty continues to shake things up.

There was a surprise drop in unemployment to 4.1%, the number of jobs available increased, and household spending grew.

These elements have also contributed to persistently increasing inflation and predictions of two or three interest rate rises this year.

The S&P/ASX 200 climbed 1.8% in January, but there’s still ground to be made up to reach last October’s peak.

Global markets showed volatility due to geopolitical threats including the Trump administration’s rhetoric and actions on Iran, Venezuela and Greenland.

Click here to view our update.

Please get in touch if you’d like assistance with your personal financial situation.

Integrity One Wealth Advisers  Pty Ltd

Getting on top of your finances is one of the most common new year’s resolutions. But sticking to them can be hard. 

If you want to get your finances unstuck, here are five money tasks you can tick off during your summer down time, that will help set you up for success this year.

Check your credit card’s working for you

Australians owe around $33 billion on credit cards with $18 billion of that money accruing interest. At an average credit card interest rate of 18%, it’s an expensive habit.

If you pay your credit card off every month then the interest rate doesn’t matter (because you’re not being charged interest). But if you carry a debt from month to month, it’s worth comparing credit cards and choosing one that works best for you.

Also check these tips on credit card balance transfers. And try the credit card calculator to see how quickly you could pay off your debt.

Use this credit card calculator

Give your health insurance a health check

It’s a great idea to review your private health insurance periodically as your life changes, to make sure it covers the things you’re most likely to need.

With more than 30 insurers offering multiples of products though, it’s a daunting task.

Fortunately you can compare all private health insurers and policies on the Australian Government’s PrivateHealth.gov.au website. That way, you can make a shortlist of options that could be right for you.

Here are some tips on what to look for.

Review your mortgage

Home loans can be a set and forget product – but there can be an interest rate difference of more than 2% in variable home loan rates on the market. That could make a big difference to the cost.

Here are some tips on switching home loans. And use this mortgage calculator to compare different rates and see how much you might be able to save.

Use the mortgage calculator

Find your super

There’s almost $19 billion in lost and ATO-held super, waiting for rightful owners to find it. If some of that belongs to you then it’s better off in your super account, building for your retirement!

Find out more about lost super and do a lost super search on the ATO website.

Do a written budget

Writing down goals apparently makes them more likely to happen. So having a written budget can be a good way to help you save this year.

Here are plenty of tips for saving money (from checking your utilities bills to choosing a new phone plan).  And the Budget planner makes it easy work out where your money is going – and what you can afford.

Use this budget planner

Don’t hesitate to ask for help

If 2026 hasn’t started with your best foot forward, there’s help available, so don’t hesitate to ask.

Source: Reproduced with the permission of ASIC’s MoneySmart Team. This article was originally published at https://moneysmart.gov.au/media-centre/five-money-tasks-to-start-the-new-year

Integrity One Wealth Advisers  Pty Ltd

Many investors breathed a sigh of relief at having survived (and even thrived) the turbulent economic and political events of 2025.

Super funds posted strong double-digit returns for the 2024-2025 financial year. Australia recorded modest economic growth, while inflation cooled a little throughout the year – albeit with a slight uptick at year’s end – and house prices surged before hitting the brakes

The big picture

Markets and economies around the world have danced to the tune of the Trump Administration’s second term in office and reacted to wars and unrest in the Middle East and Ukraine.

The US President’s often surprising policy twists and turns, particularly a punishing new tariff regime, saw markets falter and exporters of goods and services to the US plunged into uncertainty. As one commentator put it: “Over the past 12 months, the US has seen every norm of economic policy – trade policy, fiscal policy, monetary policy – blithely tossed aside.”

The Australian dollar reflected the choppy conditions, hitting lows just under 0.60 USD in April before recovering slightly by year-end at just under 0.67 USD, this was buoyed by our strong iron ore exports and the growing demand for lithium, copper and rare earths.

The artificial intelligence revolution was another feature of the year, driving US share markets ever higher with some fearing the bubble is overdue to burst.

Economy

Inflation’s stubborn resistance to the Reserve Bank’s measures to bring it down could lead to further interest rate rises in 2026.

The Consumer Price Index eased slightly in November 2025, while figures released in early January 2026 showed an annual rate of 3.4%, down 0.4% on the previous month. The RBA’s flexible inflation target aims to keep the cost of living increases between 2 and 3 %

The cash rate began 2025 at 4.35% but after three cuts during the year, it was down to 3.6% in December. The RBA is due to meet in February to consider its next move.

In the US, the Federal Reserve also cut rates three times, putting the interest rate to a range of 3.5 – 3.75%.

The Australian economy grew 2.1% in the year to September in a massive improvement on the previous year’s growth of 0.8%.

Property

After two uneven years, home values surged again in 2025 by 8.6%, adding about $71,500 to the national median.ⁱⁱⁱ

It’s the strongest calendar year performance since the remarkable 24.5% increase in 2021.

However, values softened in December, recording the smallest monthly increase in five months, and some suggest the risk of further rate rises this year may keep prices in check.

Darwin delivered the best performance with an 18.9% gain in values during the year while Melbourne took the wooden spoon with a 4.8% increase.

Share markets

Global equity markets proved that they could thrive, even in a higher-interest rate environment, and the AI revolution moved from the hype phase of the previous year to serious players in 2025.

While ‘The Magnificent Seven’ tech stocks have long ruled the S&P 500, in 2025 just two outperformed the index with a gain of 64.8% for Alphabet and 38.9% for Nvidia.

It was a slower pace for Australian markets with the S&P/ASX 200 delivering a solid total return of 6.8%. While the big banks faced some pressure on margins as interest rates peaked, the materials sector was supported by the global energy transition. Dividend yields remained attractive, continuing Australia’s tradition of providing reliable income for retirees and SMSFs.

Commodities

Precious metals drove commodity values in the past year with investors looking for security amid interest rate movements and geopolitical tensions.

Silver was up by an astonishing 182% during the year, but a sell-off in December saw the price finish the year with a 147% gain.

The remarkable run drew comparisons with the last bubble and ultimate crash in 1980, after a rise of 713%.

Meanwhile, gold’s safe haven status during times of uncertainty saw it jump by 65% during the year.

Continued demand from China kept the price of iron ore steadily increasing in the last half of 2025.

Looking ahead

It seems likely the issues that dominated the financial markets in 2025 may continue to shape performance and returns this year.

Global politics and war are likely to move commodity prices and equity markets while the contrariness of US foreign policy will both spook and buoy investors.

AI capability and implementation will grow apace, which is likely to see action on equity markets, but don’t forget warnings that the bubble may burst.

In Australia, all eyes will be on the RBA, with high levels of speculation as to where interest rates will be heading in 2026.

Integrity One Wealth Advisers  Pty Ltd

Investing may be all about the numbers – growth, returns and risk – to build a secure future but increasingly investors are interested in an even more meaningful approach.

Four out of five respondents to a 2024 survey wanted their investments to have a positive impact in the world.

The survey, by the Responsible Investment Association Australasia (RIAA), found 79 per cent of investors would be more likely to invest in funds or products that have been independently verified as responsible or ethical. Animal cruelty was a top concern for 66 per cent, followed by human rights abuses – 60%, gambling – 56%, companies that don’t paid their fair share of tax – 55%, as well as tobacco, weapons and firearms all at 55%.

This growing interest in responsible investment saw assets under management in Australian funds rise 24% to more than $1.6 trillion in 2024.

Meanwhile, a 2025 survey of 3,500 high net worth Australian investors found that sustainable investing is gaining traction as long as appropriate returns, clear risk and return profiles, and transparent performance reporting are in place.

Adding value

Aligning your investments with your values isn’t about changing the way you invest, it’s about adding an extra layer of meaning to the process and shaping your portfolio to reflect what’s important to you.

For some, that might mean supporting companies that innovate responsibly or treat employees well. For others, it could mean avoiding industries that don’t align with their principles. There’s no single ‘right’ approach because your values are unique to you.

And here’s the reassuring part: investing with your values doesn’t mean sacrificing returns. Many businesses that operate with strong governance and long-term strategies have shown to perform competitively over time. So, you can pursue financial growth while feeling confident that your money is working in ways that matter to you.

In fact, the RIAA noted in 2024 a ten-year return on RIAA-certified products of 13.9%, compared with 9.19% for the rest of the market (Australian share funds).

Of course, fundamental investment rules apply. Diversification is one of the keys to successful values-based investing. But it’s not about limiting your choices, it’s about finding the right mix of investments that meet both your financial and personal criteria.

A well-constructed portfolio can include companies across different sectors that align with your principles while still delivering strong performance. This approach ensures you’re not only investing with purpose but also managing risk effectively.

Taking the first step

Turning this idea into reality can be complex. Investor’s priorities are different and the investment universe is vast. That’s where a financial adviser adds value.

A good adviser doesn’t just manage numbers. They listen and take the time to understand what matters most to you, whether that’s supporting certain industries, avoiding others or balancing ethical considerations with performance goals.

From there, they help design a strategy that reflects your values without losing sight of your financial objectives.

Advisers also provide clarity. With so many investment options available, it’s easy to feel overwhelmed. We can help you navigate choices, evaluate trade-offs, and ensure your portfolio remains diversified and resilient. We can also monitor your investments regularly, making adjustments as markets change and your priorities evolve.

So, if you’ve ever wondered whether your investments reflect your values, you can begin exploring the possibilities.

Start by asking yourself about the principles that are most important to you; the industry sectors you would like to support or steer clear of and how you would define success.

Then, give us a call. We can help you to align your portfolio with your values while keeping your long-term goals on track.

Integrity One Wealth Advisers  Pty Ltd

Integrity One Wealth Advisers  Pty Ltd

Retirement has often been seen as a time to slow down and enjoy the simple pleasures of daily life. And for many, that’s the dream. But retirement is no longer defined by one image or one path. In fact, it can be something much more expansive. Today, retirement is increasingly viewed as a time of freedom, possibility, and reinvention.

Retirement isn’t about stepping back. It’s about stepping into a new chapter where you decide what comes next.

Even if you are not yet there, and retirement is still a way off, it’s never too soon to think about who you want to be, what gives you joy, and start to gravitate towards living your dreams.

Let go of conformity, embrace freedom

Of course, you can live your dreams at any stage of your life but the exciting part about retirement is that you are no longer bound by the expectations that shaped your earlier years. You don’t have to earn a living anymore, so what you do with your time can be driven purely by passion, curiosity, or purpose.

For much of our lives, we learn to conform. We wear the suits, follow the rules, meet the deadlines, and often suppress our wilder ideas or untapped creativity to fit the roles expected of us, whether as professionals, parents, providers, or partners.

But something shifts later in life. With age often comes clarity, and a new kind of confidence. Retirement can be the moment when we stop asking what others think we should do and instead, begin to ask what our hearts are calling us to do.

This is your opportunity to push boundaries, shed old labels, and express your true self without apology. It is a time to honour your inner voice, whether that means embracing bold adventure, creating, starting over, or simply doing what feels meaningful to you.

Unconventional can be unforgettable

Retirement can be the perfect time to try something unexpected or bold. Consider these inspiring examples:

Isabella Rossellini

After being let go by Lancôme at age 45 for being “too old,” Rossellini redefined what aging looks like. She went back to school in her 50s to study animal behaviour, wrote books, bought a working farm, and later, in a full-circle moment, was rehired by the same brand that once let her go. Now in her 70s, she continues to model, act, write, and farm, all on her own terms.

Diana Nyad

At 64, Nyad swam from Cuba to Florida, a journey of 110 miles through open ocean, after four earlier attempts. It was a dream she had carried her whole life, and she proved that persistence and passion don’t expire with age.

Harriette Thompson

Harriette ran her first marathon in her 70s and, at 92, became the oldest woman ever to complete one. Her story is a celebration of physical endurance and mental strength at any age.

Anthony Hopkins

Well into his 80s, the Oscar-winning actor continues to create. He acts in major films, paints, composes music, and shares his work with younger generations online. He shows that creativity and passion do not have a use-by date.

Mother Teresa

Mother Teresa received the Nobel Peace Prize at age 69 for her work with “Missionaries of Charity,” a world-wide organization that helped the sick, the poor, the dying and left an incredible legacy of benevolence that continues today.

Finding your joy

This chapter of life gives you the rare opportunity to redefine yourself, or finally be yourself, in ways that may not have been possible earlier in life.

Whether your dream is to travel the world, volunteer overseas, write a novel, take up painting, or pursue a long-held interest that never fit into your working life, now is your chance.

And it doesn’t have to follow tradition. Retirement can be adventurous, creative, active, or entrepreneurial. It can be spent on a cruise ship, in a mountain village, running marathons, making movies. And you don’t have to set the world on fire – if what makes you happy is watching your roses bloom then go for it! The point is, this part of your life, is yours to shape.

Retirement is a time to live fully and follow your own path to what brings you joy.

What will your next chapter be?

Integrity One Wealth Advisers  Pty Ltd