You know we like to stay ahead of trends—in markets and memes—so yes, we’ve officially jumped on the Studio Ghibli bandwagon.
Apparently, every brand, influencer, and their dog has been anime-fying themselves lately… and we thought, why not us too?
So here we are—Scott and Phil, reimagined as protagonists in a heartfelt, slow-paced Japanese film where financial planning saves the world (or at least your retirement goals).
We hope it gives you a laugh and sets the tone for another big month ahead. Now, let’s get to what really matters: your money, the markets, and what to make of the madness out there.
From the ASX sliding on tariff fears to inflation headlines and steel tension with the U.S.—March has been a whirlwind for Aussie investors.
Here’s a breakdown of what’s going on and what it actually means for your money:
1 – Global Markets React to New Auto Tariffs
2 – Can We Still Trust U.S. Economic Data?
3 – Mastercard’s $200M Legal Mess (And Why It Matters)
4 – Podcast Spotlight: Market Volatility & Portfolio Management
1. Global Markets React to New Auto Tariffs
The U.S. has rolled out a 25% tariff on imported vehicles and light trucks. Cue global market jitters.
For Australians, this hits close to home—we import 90% of our cars, mostly from Asia and Europe. That means higher car prices, pressure on car retailers, and added volatility across logistics and supply chain players on the ASX.
Our Take:
Trade wars are like a game of backyard cricket—fun until someone storms off and takes the bat with them.
The concern here isn’t just about Ford or Toyota—it’s about how interconnected Aussie markets are with global supply chains. A trade war between the U.S. and China (or anyone, really) can cause ripple effects here, from consumer prices to investor sentiment on the ASX.
For clients with local holdings, we ensure your exposure is spread beyond any one sector. A well-diversified portfolio reduces the chance that someone else’s political tantrum derails your long-term plans.
2. Can We Still Trust U.S. Economic Data?
The U.S. has slashed funding for agencies that produce vital economic reports—like inflation, jobs, and growth data. It’s raising questions about whether central banks (and investors like us) are flying blind.
Our Take:
It might feel like U.S. data is “their problem,” but Aussie markets often follow Wall Street’s lead. Super funds, ETFs, and even our Reserve Bank pay attention to U.S. trends when making big decisions.
If that data becomes unreliable, markets could overreact, and policy makers could move too slow—or too fast.
We keep a close eye on how this plays out, and it’s exactly why we avoid knee-jerk portfolio shifts based on single data points. Strategy wins over hype, every time.
3. Mastercard’s $200M Legal Mess (And Why It Matters)
Mastercard just settled a massive £200M class-action lawsuit—but the bigger drama is in how that payout will be distributed. Litigation funders and class action lawyers are battling over fees and fairness.
Our Take:
Australia isn’t immune to this stuff. In fact, our litigation funding model is one of the most active in the world.
If you’ve been following the class actions against AMP, CBA, or even IOOF, you’ll know this space can get murky.
As investors, it reminds us of two things:
- Transparency matters. Know what you’re in.
- Complexity doesn’t equal opportunity. We avoid products with hidden layers, opaque fees, or legal acrobatics. If it takes a PhD in law to explain it—it’s probably not for us (or you).
🎙️ Podcast Spotlight: Market Volatility & Portfolio Management – What You Need to Know
Let’s be honest—turn on the news and it sounds like everything’s on fire.
“$250 billion wiped off the market!” sounds terrifying… until you realise it was just a 1.3% dip on the ASX.
In our latest episode, we cut through the noise and cover:
- What “volatility” really means for investors (spoiler: it’s not a crisis)
- How Trump’s back with a fresh batch of tariff tantrums—and what it means for countries like Australia
- Why U.S. tech still rules, and why that matters even if you’re an “ASX-only” investor
- Why smart diversification across Australia, the U.S., and Europe is still the most effective strategy
- A reminder from COVID days: the true cost of trying to time the market
- Plus—one of the silliest investment pitches we’ve heard this year (and how to spot scams before they burn you)
If you’ve got money in super, shares, or managed funds—this one’s for you.
🎧 Listen to the full episode here – it’s blunt, practical, and could save you from doing something silly with your money.
