The war in Ukraine overshadowed financial markets throughout the month, but hopes of a breakthrough in peace talks lifted sentiment towards risk assets. Solid gains among US-listed stocks helped the MSCI World Index rise more than 3%.
The Budget boost for low to middle income earners, in particular, was designed to improve the Government’s approval ratings ahead of May’s Federal Election.
Other forecasts released alongside the Budget provided further grounds for optimism. Officials expect unemployment to fall to 3.75% later
this year – from 4.0% currently – and annual wage growth to rise above 3% for the first time in a decade.
If these forecasts prove accurate, the Reserve Bank of Australia is more likely to follow other central banks and start raising official
interest rates in the months ahead.
SMART Business Solutions is proud to announce its recognition as the winner of Excellence in Local Community Connection (Medium–Large Business) and Excellence in Access and Inclusion at the 2025 Mornington Peninsula Business Excellence Awards.
Smart Private Wealth is proud to announce that Founding Director, Shannon Smit, has been recognised in the 2025 FS Power50, Financial Standard’s annual list of the 50 most influential financial advisers in Australia.
Smart Private Wealth, part of the Smart Business Solutions Group, has been honoured as a recipient of the prestigious 2025 Barry Lambert Award, recognising exceptional community fundraising and volunteer work within the Count Financial network.
