2019 That's a Wrap!
What a big year it has been both in the financial world and for our Rethink team!
We want to thank you for your continued support, connection, laughs, loyalty and desire to be part of our working family. We've loved having you on board and look forward to continuing to be of value to you in 2020!
We love what we do and how we do it, but without all of you, we would never get to deliver the passion we have for our industry. We have had another amazing year delivering our expertise and advice to our clients via face to face meetings, telephone calls, client seminars and a number of newsletters.
We wish you all a very merry Christmas and a prosperous New Year. From our families to yours, be safe, embrace all that comes your way and live life like it is the only one you ever get!
Big love the Rethink team
Financial Wrap up for 2019
Despite concerns throughout the year about the US-China trade deal, Brexit and Hong Kong, equity markets globally have had a positive year.
In Australia, the market has performed well over the year, boosted by low interest rates locally and improved global growth. Financials (bank) stocks remain under a question mark due to lower interest rates making profit margins harder to come by, and ongoing reputation damage following the Royal Commission and as other bad practices are revealed in the ‘big four’.
Property and infrastructure have been solid performers over the year. Two of our frequently used funds - AMP Capital Core Infrastructure and AMP Capital Core Property have returned 14.54% and 17.29% over the 12 months to the end of October 2019 (source AMP Capital).
Cash and fixed interest have seen returns drop in Australia due to the much publicised Reserve Bank of Australian rate cuts. The official cash rate started the year at 1.5% with cuts in June, July and October seeing the rate now sitting at an all-time low of 0.75%. Globally, bonds yields have dropped over the year but have recently started to trend upwards and are predicted to continue to do so.
Departures & Arrivals
2019 saw the departure of Sebastian Kavanagh from our team. Bass is doing some travel before heading to Albany in New York State, where he will be playing a season with the Knicks Rugby Club. Despite his departure we still feel a connection with him as he started with us as a fresh faced 18 year old straight out of High School! We wish him great adventures and safe travels
2019 saw the arrival of baby Rosalita May, first born child for Laura Bastian, one of our amazing Client Service Managers, and her husband Dave.
Mum and bub are bonding nicely and whilst Laura is loving her new role as a mumma, we will see her return on a part-time basis in August 2020 (which the team are not so quietly excited about).
2019 also saw the arrival of an additional resource in Lisa Carn who joined our team in August in the capacity of Client Service Manager. Lisa has come a long way to take up this position, having relocated to Newcastle with her husband Rick from Leeton. Lisa is a very experienced resource who is already proving to be an excellent addition to supporting our team to deliver on our client matters. We are very pleased to have Lisa in our team.
Losing it for charity
Our Little Big Boss, Cassandra, raised just over $2,300 earlier this year when she participated in The World's Greatest Shave in support of the Leukaemia Foundation. Cassandra shaved her long eighties fro clean off!
Thank you to those clients who supported the event, we are very grateful.
Aged Care update
What an incredible year of strategy and support we have given from our small but dynamic, and let's not forget highly skilled team, of Aged Care specialists in 2019.
Our client engagement has skyrocketed this year, as has our involvement with some incredible local Aged Care facilities and Home Care providers.
For those clients who haven't had interactions with Sam, Carlie or Laura in the past these ladies are where it's at if you have any concerns for yourself or your loved ones regarding how to approach any aspects of Aged Care advice & advocacy work.
The areas of Aged Care they work with clients and/or their loved ones include
Entry Advice/Residential
Care Home Care
Advocacy
Centre link
Estate Management
If you or a loved one needs support in this very specialised area (it's in a category all of its own - beyond Financial Planning), don't hesitate to contact our team to learn more or keep a watch for invitations to our Aged Care information Sessions that will roll out again in 2020.
What’s in store for 2020
The outlook for the Global Markets in 2020 is subdued, though continued recovery is expected.
Despite US markets at record levels, it appears the trend is to continue upwards. this will help to keep the Australian Stock Market bubbling along in positive territory.
Low inflation should keep the US Federal Reserve on hold 2020 and interest rates are expected to remain flat with a slight reduction possible due to a sluggish economy.
Fixed interest appears to be in for another year of flat, low returns, whilst after its best year in a decade (currency adjusted) the Australian stock market appears a little over stretched and 2020 should see returns more in the 4-7% range.
Australian residential property is auguring well after a 2-paced 2019 (first half down and second half up), with expectations ranging from 2% in Perth to 10% in Melbourne, Regional centres such as Newcastle is forecast at 4-6%.
On a team front, we have a couple of new arrivals early in 2020 to support our growing client needs.
Mark will take up a part-time Financial Planner role when he starts with the team on 8th January, whilst Kristen will join us in a full-time capacity as a Client Service Manager on 13th January.
Stay tuned for more information on our newbies when we update our website in the New Year!
Christmas cheer!
Well whilst we gave it a lot of thought, and many discussions were had....all roads led to cocktails! So, if you are looking for a little something to add to your dining experience this Christmas, check out our little list of favourites! And the best thing about these recipes is they are super easy to make....or is that not such a good thing!
Raspberry Caprioska (makes 15 cocktails)
Shake the Christmas caprioska infusion bottle well and pour into a large jug. Add 1 bottle vodka, 700ml soda water and stir to combine.
Fill glasses with ice, squeeze in lime wedges, a few raspberries and pomegranate seeds and top with caprioska mixture.
To make this a mocktail, simply omit the vodka.
Pina Colada (makes 15 cocktails)
Shake the pina colada infusion bottle well and pour into a large jug.
Add 1 bottle rum and 600ml soda water and stir to combine. Fill glasses with ice, squeeze in lime wedges, and add a sprinkling of coconut flakes. Top with pina colada mixture and serve with a wedge of pineapple on the side of the glass, if desired. To make this a mocktail, simply omit the vodka.
Lychee Mojito (makes 15 cocktails)
Shake the lychee mojito infusion bottle well and pour into a large jug.
Add 1 bottle rum or 1 bottle vodka (depending on your preference) and stir to combine. Fill glasses with ice and a large sprig of mint, squeeze in lime wedges and top with lychee mojito mixture. Thread lychees on skewers and place in glasses to serve. To make this a mocktail, simply omit the rum or vodka.
Plum Thyme Prosecco Smash (makes 15 cocktails)
Shake the plum thyme prosecco smash infusion bottle well and pour into a large jug. Add 2 bottles of proscecco and stir well to combine.
Fill glasses with ice and add sliced plum and thyme sprigs to each glass. Top with plum thyme prosecco smash mixture. To make this a mocktail, simply swap the proscecco for sparkling grape juice.
from our families to yours, may your life be full with people and things you love!
the Rethink team
Any information provided on this website is general advice only and does not take account of investors’ objectives, financial situation or needs. Before acting on this general advice, investors should therefore consider the appropriateness of the advice having regard to their objectives, financial situation or needs.