Stocks Fall, Oil Leaps As Ukraine Crisis Deepens
Kanebridge News
    HOUSE MEDIAN ASKING PRICES AND WEEKLY CHANGE     Sydney $1,666,984 (-0.52%)       Melbourne $1,025,140 (-0.29%)       Brisbane $1,079,790 (+0.21%)       Adelaide $987,421 (+0.48%)       Perth $959,727 (+1.13%)       Hobart $774,699 (-0.85%)       Darwin $821,142 (+4.72%)       Canberra $946,671 (-0.99%)       National $1,096,933 (+0.01%)                UNIT MEDIAN ASKING PRICES AND WEEKLY CHANGE     Sydney $779,804 (-0.05%)       Melbourne $501,457 (-0.97%)       Brisbane $680,117 (+0.71%)       Adelaide $516,640 (-0.17%)       Perth $539,067 (+1.01%)       Hobart $528,172 (+0.12%)       Darwin $391,098 (+0.26%)       Canberra $495,303 (+3.15%)       National $576,956 (+0.40%)                HOUSES FOR SALE AND WEEKLY CHANGE     Sydney 12,076 (-85)       Melbourne 14,218 (-287)       Brisbane 8,085 (-106)       Adelaide 2,943 (+40)       Perth 7,410 (-63)       Hobart 1,202 (-4)       Darwin 165 (-4)       Canberra 1,087 (-18)       National 47,186 (-527)                UNITS FOR SALE AND WEEKLY CHANGE     Sydney 9,230 (-171)       Melbourne 7,611 (-611)       Brisbane 1,520 (-30)       Adelaide 404 (-17)       Hobart 212 (+1)       Hobart 215 (-13)       Darwin 287 (+2)       Canberra 1,186 (-1,198)       National 22,003 (-2,039)                HOUSE MEDIAN ASKING RENTS AND WEEKLY CHANGE     Sydney $800 ($0)       Melbourne $595 ($0)       Brisbane $650 ($0)       Adelaide $640 (+$10)       Perth $700 ($0)       Hobart $583 (+$3)       Darwin $720 (-$30)       Canberra $710 ($0)       National $681 (-$3)                UNIT MEDIAN ASKING RENTS AND WEEKLY CHANGE     Sydney $750 ($0)       Melbourne $590 ($0)       Brisbane $650 (+$10)       Adelaide $550 (+$15)       Perth $665 (+$15)       Hobart $500 (+$18)       Darwin $550 (+$35)       Canberra $590 (+$5)       National $615 (+$10)                HOUSES FOR RENT AND WEEKLY CHANGE     Sydney 5,732 (-16)       Melbourne 7,664 (+4)       Brisbane 3,892 (-6)       Adelaide 1,458 (-8)       Perth 2,305 (-13)       Hobart 236 (+7)       Darwin 76 (-1)       Canberra 465 (+5)       National 21,828 (-28)                UNITS FOR RENT AND WEEKLY CHANGE     Sydney 7,852 (-14)       Melbourne 5,484 (0)       Brisbane 1,900 (+20)       Adelaide 413 (-1)       Perth 778 (+6)       Hobart 90 (-8)       Darwin 86 (+7)       Canberra 544 (-22)       National 17,147 (-12)                HOUSE ANNUAL GROSS YIELDS AND TREND       Sydney 2.50% (↑)      Melbourne 3.02% (↑)        Brisbane 3.13% (↓)     Adelaide 3.37% (↑)        Perth 3.79% (↓)     Hobart 3.91% (↑)        Darwin 4.56% (↓)     Canberra 3.90% (↑)        National 3.23% (↓)            UNIT ANNUAL GROSS YIELDS AND TREND       Sydney 5.00% (↑)      Melbourne 6.12% (↑)      Brisbane 4.97% (↑)      Adelaide 5.54% (↑)      Perth 6.41% (↑)      Hobart 4.92% (↑)      Darwin 7.31% (↑)        Canberra 6.19% (↓)     National 5.54% (↑)             HOUSE RENTAL VACANCY RATES AND TREND       Sydney 2.0% (↑)      Melbourne 1.9% (↑)      Brisbane 1.4% (↑)      Adelaide 1.3% (↑)      Perth 1.2% (↑)      Hobart 1.0% (↑)      Darwin 1.6% (↑)      Canberra 2.7% (↑)      National 1.7% (↑)             UNIT RENTAL VACANCY RATES AND TREND       Sydney 2.4% (↑)      Melbourne 3.8% (↑)      Brisbane 2.0% (↑)      Adelaide 1.1% (↑)      Perth 0.9% (↑)      Hobart 1.4% (↑)      Darwin 2.8% (↑)      Canberra 2.9% (↑)      National 2.2% (↑)             AVERAGE DAYS TO SELL HOUSES AND TREND       Sydney 33.9 (↑)        Melbourne 32.6 (↓)     Brisbane 35.9 (↑)      Adelaide 30.2 (↑)      Perth 41.5 (↑)      Hobart 37.1 (↑)        Darwin 23.7 (↓)     Canberra 35.3 (↑)      National 33.8 (↑)             AVERAGE DAYS TO SELL UNITS AND TREND       Sydney 32.6 (↑)      Melbourne 32.8 (↑)        Brisbane 31.9 (↓)     Adelaide 29.3 (↑)      Perth 41.0 (↑)      Hobart 37.4 (↑)        Darwin 41.2 (↓)     Canberra 42.9 (↑)      National 36.1 (↑)            
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Stocks Fall, Oil Leaps As Ukraine Crisis Deepens

Russian ruble plunges to record low before recovering moderately.

By GUNJAN BANERJI
Tue, Mar 1, 2022 3:54pmGrey Clock 4 min

The crisis in Ukraine continued to stoke turbulence across global markets, helping send the S&P 500 lower for a second straight month and Russian markets plunging.

Major U.S. indexes swung for much of the trading session before finishing mixed. The S&P 500 lost 10.71 points, or 0.2%, to 4373.94 on Monday. The Dow Jones Industrial Average fell 166.15 points, or 0.5%, to 33892.60. The tech-heavy Nasdaq Composite Index turned higher, adding 56.77 points, or 0.4%, to 13751.40.

The S&P 500 and Nasdaq have lost 8.2% and 12%, respectively, over the past two months, each posting their worst such stretch since March 2020.

For much of February, investors were preoccupied with high inflation and the Federal Reserve’s coming interest rate hikes. This sent Treasury yields above 2% for the first time since mid-2019 and triggered a rush to bearish bets on stocks. Toward the end of the month, geopolitical concerns quickly came to the forefront as Russia invaded Ukraine, sending markets around the globe spiraling.

Monday’s trading continued a turbulent period after Russia’s invasion of Ukraine. Stock futures slid more than 2% Sunday evening and kicked off the week with declines before clawing back some of the losses.

Investors dumped Russian bonds and the ruble was on track for a record low against the dollar. Market-data services showed limited price updates Monday, suggesting few transactions were taking place. Russian sovereign debt sold off heavily, with the yield on a dollar-denominated note maturing in five years surging to 25% in trading, from 9% Friday.

“There is very little liquidity and consequently you get this gapping in the price and you’re not getting any real reflection of where the ruble would be,” said Jane Foley, head of foreign-exchange strategy at Rabobank.

An exchange-traded fund tracking Russian companies, the VanEck Russia ETF, lost $4.75, or 30%, to $10.85. Russia’s RTS index lost around a third of its value in February, its worst monthly performance since October 2008.

Russia’s central bank opted for an emergency interest-rate hike to combat a collapse in the ruble, more than doubling its benchmark rate to 20%, hours after imposing other restrictions on markets. It also temporarily banned brokers from handling sales of securities by nonresidents and kept the Moscow Stock Exchange closed Monday. It will remain closed Tuesday.

Investors turned to safer assets, sending the yield on the 10-year Treasury note down to 1.836%, from 1.984% Friday as bond prices rose. Gold prices edged higher, capping the best month since May 2021.

Though the past week has been marked by big swings, U.S. markets have remained relatively insulated from the turmoil spreading through Russian markets.

Major indexes had staged a rally in recent sessions, highlighting the importance that many investors placed on the Federal Reserve’s moves. Investors have rapidly shifted bets on the situation in Europe and how it might affect plans by the central bank to raise interest rates, with some now forecasting a smaller rate increase in March. That has helped lift stocks at times, including on Monday, when the Nasdaq eked out a gain for the third consecutive session.

“It will give the Fed a little bit more leeway to be patient,” said David Sadkin, a partner at Bel Air Investment Advisors.

Some analysts say geopolitical crises typically don’t have prolonged impacts on U.S. stocks and that they expected the recent volatility to pass. Stocks have typically declined around 6% to 8% after a geopolitical event before retracing those losses in another three weeks, Deutsche Bank strategists said in a note to clients.

And among S&P 500 companies, only 1% of revenues stem from Russia and Ukraine, according to FactSet.

“To date we have not decided that we’re going to make any changes based on what is happening in Ukraine,” said Mark Stoeckle, chief executive officer of Adams Funds.

Major indexes were volatile in trading throughout the session on the last day of the month, briefly edging into the green before collapsing again. Some investors have lately used intraday volatility to step in and buy stocks.

“This generally doesn’t impact our view of the U.S. markets,” said Mike Bailey, director of research at FBB Capital Partners, of the conflict. Mr. Bailey added that his firm had picked up shares of companies like Nvidia recently, which had been bruised this year.

Still, companies domestically and abroad faced mammoth swings. Defence stocks rallied, with U.S.-based Northrop Grumman jumping $32.47, or 7.9%, to $442.14, a record. It was one of the best performers in the S&P 500.

London-listed shares of Russian companies plunged, with Sberbank, the country’s largest lender, down 74%.

“There’s an enormous amount of volatility and nervousness,” said Fahad Kamal, chief investment officer at Kleinwort Hambros. “The risk of miscalculation or something getting out of hand has increased.”

Oil prices rose, with front-month Brent futures gaining more than 10% this month to $100.99 a barrel, notching the largest three-month percentage gain since January 2021. Brent prices last week surged to about $100 a barrel for the first time since 2014 as investors calculated how the invasion could snarl the movement of resources in the region.

Over the weekend the U.S., European Union, Canada and the U.K. said they intended to cut off some Russian banks from the Swift network, a global payment system that connects international banks and facilitates cross-border financial transfers. The U.S. said it would sanction Russia’s central bank, a move to stop the bank from deploying its more than $600 billion in reserves to aid the Russian economy.

Meanwhile, President Vladimir Putin ordered Russia’s nuclear-deterrence forces to be put on alert. The move would put Russia’s network of nuclear missiles into a state in which it could be used if necessary.

Bitcoin prices rose 11% to $41,650.25 Monday, the largest one-day gain since May.

European banks declined, with the Euro Stoxx banking subindex down 5.7%. BNP Paribas fell 7.5% and Société Générale shares dropped 9.9%.

“With Swift, there will be problems processing payments. That creates credit risk, not only for European banks with affiliates in Russia but more broadly, those with clients in Russia,” said Sebastien Galy, a macro strategist at Nordea Asset Management.

The pan-continental Stoxx Europe 600 also recouped some losses, closing down 0.1%. It finished lower for a second consecutive month, its worst two-month decline since April 2020.

In Asia-Pacific, stock markets were mixed, with major benchmarks gaining or losing less than 1%.



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7 Ways To Self-Fund Your Retirement Beyond Just Your Super

Super isn’t your only option. These smart strategies can help you self-fund a comfortable retirement.

By Helen Baker
Wed, May 21, 2025 3 min

Superannuation is the first thought when it comes to self-funding retirement. Yet it is hardly the only option for doing so.

Just as we have a choice in how and where we work to earn a living, many people also have a choice in how to fund their retirement.

It is possible and sometimes preferable to leave your superannuation untouched, allowing it to continue growing. Some or all of your income can come from alternative sources instead.

Here are some alternatives you can consider.

1. Downsize your home

For many who own their own homes, the equity accrued over decades can eclipse the funds in superannuation. However, it’s theoretical money only until it is unlocked.

Selling up the family home and downsizing – or rightsizing – for retirement allows you to pocket those gains tax-free and simultaneously relocate to a more suitable home with lower upkeep costs.

Up to $300,000 from the proceeds can be contributed by a downsizer to boost your super, and the remainder can be used to fund living expenses or actively invested.

Remember that while the sale proceeds of your home are tax-free, any future profits or interest earned from that money will be taxable.

2. Part-time work

Semi-retirement allows you to gradually step into retirement. You continue earning income and super while working part-time, keeping a foot in the workforce while testing the waters of your new found free time.

Doing so also offers scope to move into different roles, such as passing on your skills to future generations by teaching/training others in your field of expertise, or taking employment in a new area that interests you and is closer to home.

3. Self-employment

Retirement from a full-time position presents a good opportunity to pursue self-employment. With more time and fewer commitments on your hands, you have greater scope to turn your hobby into a business or leverage your professional skills and reputation as an external consultant.

Also, for the self-employed and those with a family business, director’s loan repayments from the company are typically tax-free, offering a potentially lucrative source of

income and a means of extracting previous investments into the business without selling your ownership stake.

Helen Baker

4. Investments

Rental property income (from residential or commercial properties) can supplement or even provide a generous source of income. The same applies to dividends from shares.

These are likely to be more profitable if you own them well before retirement.

Income that is surplus to your everyday needs can be reinvested using tax-effective strategies to grow your future returns.

5. Family trust

A family trust could be used to house investments for yourself and other relatives, building intergenerational wealth.

Trusts allow funds to be allocated to beneficiaries to manage marginal tax rates and stretch the money further, you have control over how income is split between different family members and have flexibility for changing circumstances.

6. Selling collectables

You may not realise the value of items you have collected over the years, such as wine, artwork, jewellery, vintage cars, and antiques.

Rather than have them collect dust or pay to store them, they could be sold to fund your living costs or new investments.

Where possible, avoid selling growth assets in a depressed market – wait until you can extract maximum value.

7. Obtaining a part-pension

Part-pensions are not only possible but valuable in making your superannuation stretch further. They still entitle you to a concession card with benefits in healthcare, transport, and more.

Take these savings even further by requesting pensioner discounts with other companies, on everything from utilities to travel and insurance to eating out.

Also, don’t overestimate the value of your assets as part of the means test. It’s a common mistake that can wrongly deny you a full or part-pension.

Plan ahead

However, you ultimately fund your retirement, planning is crucial. Advice would hopefully pay for itself.

Understand your spending and how those habits will change before and during retirement, then look to investments that offer the best fit.

Consider a mixture of strategies to diversify your risk, manage your tax liabilities and ensure ongoing income.

Above all, timing is key. The further ahead you plan, the more time you have to embrace additional opportunities and do things at the right time to maximise their value. You’ve worked hard and now is your chance to enjoy the fruits of your labour!

Helen Baker is a licensed Australian financial adviser and author of the new book, Money For Life: How to build financial security from firm foundations (Major Street Publishing $32.99). Find out more at www.onyourowntwofeet.com.au 

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