Thank you

The April edition of the AKW Wealth Monthly Market & Financial Update is now available, providing timely insights into the Australian economy, investment markets and key financial planning considerations. This month’s edition explores the impact of rising interest rates, increased market volatility and what recent legislative changes could mean for investors and superannuation balances.

Inside this edition:

• Australian interest rates rise again as inflation remains persistent

• Increased market volatility driven by geopolitical tensions and higher energy prices

• Why diversification, income and risk management remain critical for investors

• Insights from the latest SPIVA study on active fund manager performance

• A quick update on the new Section 296 tax for large superannuation balances

• A welcome to Teisha Butt as she joins the AKW team following the merger with Wagga Wealth

As always, our aim is to provide practical, easy-to-understand information to help you stay informed and make confident financial decisions.

A recent article in The Australian titled “AI threat forces super funds to confront massive Canva valuation writedown” raises an important question about how some super funds value their investments. Many Industry Super Funds hold large positions in unlisted assets, including private technology companies, which are typically valued periodically using internal models rather than continuous market pricing. When markets move quickly — such as with the recent disruption to software companies from artificial intelligence — those valuation changes may not immediately appear in reported balances. This raises a key question for investors: do you prefer smoother returns, or transparent market pricing?

Global markets experienced a volatile February as investors navigated a mix of trade uncertainty, technology sector disruption driven by rapid advances in artificial intelligence, and escalating geopolitical tensions in the Middle East. At the same time, Australia’s reporting season delivered a mix of strong and disappointing results, while persistent inflation continues to influence interest rate expectations. In our latest Market Insights update, we explore the key events shaping markets and what investors should be watching in the months ahead.