In today's fast-paced, technology-driven world, the adage 'if you're not moving forward, you're moving backward' holds particular significance, especially in the financial sector. For Australian financial advisers, remaining static in the face of evolving challenges and opportunities is not just a risk – it's potentially a path to obsolescence.
Financial advisers come in many shapes and sizes with various approaches and value propositions to suit their clients and business goals. Yet, all share typical dynamics. Beyond the need to be profitable enough to survive, they need to:
In today's economic and financial landscape, navigating risk has become increasingly challenging due to many factors impacting the global economy and financial markets. The complexities are extensive and quite unlike anything experienced in decades, if ever before. The issues are contributing to the uncertainty and inconsistent market behaviour:
The recent ARF article, 'The wealth adviser exodus has bottomed out (for now),' began with the numbers. "More than 12,000 financial advisers have retired or handed back their registration since the financial services royal commission, which levelled widespread allegations of misconduct against the sector in 2018. The exits represent a 43 percent decline in workforce size in just five years".
The business of financial advice isn't getting any easier. We know. It's an understatement. Turbulent market conditions, escalating client expectations and the rising cost of compliance don't make for a smooth ride.
The changed economic and investing conditions have provided cause for many advisers to re-examine their investment philosophy.
The latest RBA statement highlights the problem of high inflation and that the path to a soft landing is a narrow one. It reiterates the RBA’s commitment to pursuing a 2 – 3 % inflation target, a target which, notably, the current RBA leadership has never sustainably achieved. It flags further interest rate increases too, as has the Federal Reserve. Markets think a further two rate increases in Australia are needed bringing the cash rate to circa 4% and, more importantly, home loan rates beyond 6%.
Advisers who follow Dynamic Asset will know that we readily share our thoughts on markets, the economy, portfolio management, and ways for advisers to get ahead.
The Future Fund has started 2023 with continued calls for a reassessment of how investors manage money in a way that's more relevant to current and prospective market conditions. The voices of CEO Raphael Arndt and Chairman Peter Costello are amplified by the considerable authority and accountability of the fund's almost $200 billion under management. They provide vital leadership during this time of dramatic cyclical change and uncertainty.
