Digital Finance Analytics (DFA) Blog

29 Episodes
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By: Martin North

We discuss the latest finance and digital business news, with a distinctively Australian flavour

Central Banks In Wonderland: As RBNZ Holds Too!
Last Thursday at 10:47 AM

Today we look at the latest from the Reserve Bank of New Zealand where rates were held, though following cuts of 2.25%, compared with the RBA 0.5%. Uncertainly remains the watchword. So we reflect on the different inflation track, and look at rental inflation in particular, in the light of the latest Domain data showing … Continue reading "Central Banks In Wonderland: As RBNZ Holds Too!"


“Kersplat”: The Collision Between Economics And Politics!
Last Wednesday at 1:51 PM

Yesterday as I discussed in my live show, the RBA held the cash rate at 3.85%, which surprised almost all economists, the media, and Labor politicians alike. If you listen to Michelle Bullock, at the press conference, she was careful to talk about, caution, waiting for more data because the monthly inflation stats are volatile, … Continue reading "“Kersplat”: The Collision Between Economics And Politics!"


DFA Live Q&A Replay: Rate Cuts, Home Prices And Financial Stress: Granular Deep Dive
Last Tuesday at 6:31 PM

This is an edit of a live discussion as I walk though the latest analysis from our household surveys, and go granular in terms of the impact of rate cuts, mortgage and rental stress, and the potential trajectory of home prices. I will have the post code engine on line. Details of our one to … Continue reading "DFA Live Q&A Replay: Rate Cuts, Home Prices And Financial Stress: Granular Deep Dive"


Its Edwin's Monday Evening Property Rant!
Last Monday at 5:50 PM

In this week’s Property Rant, we discuss wolves in sheep’s clothing, as we ask who is really paying the bills, and who are the property winners and losers? We also delve into our “Pavlova” apartments, and highlight the latest property BS, in which we seem to be drowning at the moment! http://www.martinnorth.com/ Go to the … Continue reading "Its Edwin’s Monday Evening Property Rant!"


The Strata Nightmare Continues…
07/06/2025

The truth is that the current Government approach to housing which is based on building 1.2 million new homes over a 5-year period won’t be met. As I reported recently the running total is 60,000 homes below what would be required to meet the target. But worse, the strategy is driving the states to permit … Continue reading "The Strata Nightmare Continues…"


As Markets Melt Upwards, Are Things Falling Apart?
07/05/2025

This is our weekly market update where we start in the US, cross to Europe and Asia and end in Australia, covering commodities and crypto along the way. US markets were closed on Friday thanks to the July 4 Independence Day celebrations. Both the S&P 500 and NASDAQ Composite closed at record highs on Thursday … Continue reading "As Markets Melt Upwards, Are Things Falling Apart?"


Tony Locantro’s Two Year Carniversary!
07/04/2025

Two years ago Investment Manager Tony Locantro had a radical change of direction in terms of life-style and diet. On this second anniversary I caught up with him to reflect on his journey, and discussed the broader questions of the deadly embrace of big-pharma and big-food and how this is causing harm, and what we … Continue reading "Tony Locantro’s Two Year Carniversary!"


How Will The Current Property Mess Play Out?
07/03/2025

We review the latest data, including from the DFA Household Surveys to consider what may happen next to property across the country. Its complicated, with supply, demand and Government policy drivers messing with the markets. Granularity is important, as is filtering the high-level spruiking. In some areas prices are continuing to fall or go sideways. … Continue reading "How Will The Current Property Mess Play Out?"


Finally, Kiwis Get Some Deposit Protection!
07/02/2025

New Zealand had been an anomaly for some time in that in had introduced the clearest Deposit Bail-in scheme in the world, via the Open Banking Resolution (OBR) which in the case of a bank failure, OBR allows a portion of depositors’ funds to be temporarily frozen and used to recapitalize the bank, while the … Continue reading "Finally, Kiwis Get Some Deposit Protection!"


DFA Live Q&A Replay: Investing Now: More All Time Highs Ahead? With Damien Klassen
07/01/2025

This is an edit of a live discussion with Head of Investments Damien Klassen, as we parse the latest from the markets. We are looking at all time highs again, but what does this really signify. Details of our one to one service are here: https://digitalfinanceanalytics.com/blog/dfa-one-to-one/ Go to the Walk The World Universe at https://walktheworld.com.au/ … Continue reading "DFA Live Q&A Replay: Investing Now: More All Time Highs Ahead? With Damien Klassen"


Its Edwin's Monday Evening Property Rant!
06/30/2025

A deep dive this week into the drivers of property prices, and who is to blame for the rising inter-generation tensions, as Edwin Almeida and I discuss the latest trends across the Australian property market. http://www.martinnorth.com/ Go to the Walk The World Universe at https://walktheworld.com.au/ Find more at https://digitalfinanceanalytics.com/blog/ where you can subscribe to our … Continue reading "Its Edwin’s Monday Evening Property Rant!"


Calling Out The Auction Clearance BS Again!
06/29/2025

OK, I am done with taking the Saturday releases from the likes of Domain and Cotality as anything meaningful. To illustrate the point, the latest in the AFR cities Cotality data claiming the national auction clearance rate has risen to its highest level in a year after two interest rate cuts and the possibility of … Continue reading "Calling Out The Auction Clearance BS Again!"


“Nothing Ever Happens” As Markets Reach All Time Highs (Again!)
06/28/2025

This is our weekly market update, where we start in the US, cross to Europe and Asia and end in Australia covering commodities and crypto along the way. Well, it’s been another extraordinary week, as the MSCI Global Index hit a new all time, along with the S&P 500 and NASDAQ. Investors hope the US … Continue reading "“Nothing Ever Happens” As Markets Reach All Time Highs (Again!)"


https://youtu.be/zU67p3wb0uk
06/27/2025

Sometimes I think I live in a parallel world compared with the state and federal politicians who combined seem intent on driving more households into oblivion, in attempt to keep those home prices pumping higher. This despite the obvious disconnect between prices and affordability, and the link between inflated money supply via debt, and home … Continue reading "Fibs, Bribes, And Plain Stupidity Hooks More First Time Buyers…"


Inside The Impossible Everything Bubble!
06/26/2025

There are growing concerns that we may be in the late stages of a global asset bubble—though whether it’s a full-blown bubble or just elevated valuations depends on who you ask and which asset class you’re looking at. So we look at the latest data, and talk to Harry Dent, the famous author and economist, … Continue reading "Inside The Impossible Everything Bubble!"


DFA Live Q&A HD Replay: A Hitchhikers Guide To Buyers Agents: With Veronica Morgan
06/24/2025

This is an edited version of a live discussion with Veronica Morgan, as we explore the highs and lows of Buyers Agents, with the help of some case studies and questions. How do you pick a good one? Can you trust them? Can they help, or hinder? Veronica Morgan is the Founder and Principal of … Continue reading "DFA Live Q&A HD Replay: A Hitchhikers Guide To Buyers Agents: With Veronica Morgan"


Its Edwin's Monday Evening Property Rant!
06/23/2025

In this weeks show we uncover four pieces of good news, as well as pushing on some of the big issues of the day. Will property benefit from the current instability in the middle east? Will Governments cut red tape? Will pigs fly? http://www.martinnorth.com/ Go to the Walk The World Universe at https://walktheworld.com.au/ Find more … Continue reading "Its Edwin’s Monday Evening Property Rant!"


Duck And Cover As US Bombs Iran!
06/22/2025

Sad to say we saw a major escalation of the conflict in the middle east overnight as US President Donald Trump decided to join the Israeli attacks on Iran. Remember, this is the president who wanted to end America’s “forever wars” but he has joined the Israeli attack, against the wishes of many prominent Republicans. … Continue reading "Duck And Cover As US Bombs Iran!"


Betting On The TACO Trade, Or Bust...!
06/21/2025

This is our weekly market update where we start in the US, cross to Europe and Asia and end in Australia, covering commodities and crypto along the way. Markets have clawed their way back towards record highs in recent weeks, following the early April Trump tariff experiments. The MSCI global index was flat on the … Continue reading "Betting On The TACO Trade, Or Bust…!"


What AI Knows About Housing Affordability That Our Leaders Duck!
06/20/2025

I thought I would try an experiment today, using AI to examine Australian housing affordability. So I did some research with Copilot. I started with the question of why Home Prices in Australia are so high Relative to Incomes. The reply seems remarkably on point. In summary, Australia faces one of the most acute housing … Continue reading "What AI Knows About Housing Affordability That Our Leaders Duck!"


Watching Paint Dry Would Have Been More Fun...!
06/19/2025

We got a master performance from Fed Chain Powell yesterday in saying as little as possible, while avoiding all the pitfalls and not mentioning stagflation once. The Fed confirmed on Wednesday that a targeted federal funds rate had been held at a range of 4.25% to 4.5% following its rate-setting open market committee’s latest two-day … Continue reading "Watching Paint Dry Would Have Been More Fun…!"


Kiwis Get More Good News On Housing Affordability!
06/18/2025

Across the ditch, the story of home prices and affordability is completely different from Australia. So far, the Reserve Bank of New Zealand has slashed the official cash rate by 2.25%, which has lowered mortgage rates by around 2% over the past year. The good news is that falling interest rates, heavy price cuts, and … Continue reading "Kiwis Get More Good News On Housing Affordability!"


DFA Live Q&A HD Replay: Mapping Financial Stress Across Australia
06/17/2025

This is an edit of a live discussion as we explore the latest DFA modelling on financial stress across the country. We will have the post code engine on line, as well as our mapping tools. Details of our one to one service are here: https://digitalfinanceanalytics.com/blog/dfa-one-to-one/ Go to the Walk The World Universe at https://walktheworld.com.au/ … Continue reading "DFA Live Q&A HD Replay: Mapping Financial Stress Across Australia"


Its Edwin's Monday Evening Property Rant!
06/16/2025

This week we deep dive into the property data to debunk more claims about massive price rises, as well as call out NCB (Dummy Bidding) and other tricks of the trade. Given the emotion simmering under the surface, and being stoked by poorly written articles in some quarters, linked to the property industry, we lay … Continue reading "Its Edwin’s Monday Evening Property Rant!"


“No Choice: But Forced To Buy Units Ahead Of Rate Cuts!”
06/15/2025

Last week I discussed the weaker auction and clearance results, centred on the impact of the King’s Birthday long weekend, which cut the number of auctions held by around one-third. In the end, Sydney’s final auction clearance rate subsequently fell to 58.1%, the lowest result this year. But of course, this week, it’s a different … Continue reading "“No Choice: But Forced To Buy Units Ahead Of Rate Cuts!”"


At The Edge Of The Abyss, Or Just Noise?
06/14/2025

This is our weekly market update. We begin in the US, move to Europe and Asia, and conclude in Australia, also covering commodities and cryptocurrency. Recent tensions in the Middle East increased oil prices, with investors turning to safe-haven assets like the dollar and gold. Oil prices rose following Iran’s response to Israel’s significant military … Continue reading "At The Edge Of The Abyss, Or Just Noise?"


The Migration Elephant In The Room Is MIA In Yet Another Housing Crisis Report!
06/13/2025

In a recent 1:1 conversation, I was asked why I keep talking about the drivers of housing affordability, when it seems those in charge default to a simplistic “its all supply” response. My simple answer was, and is, because the real story needs to be told, especially now. We just got a report from the … Continue reading "The Migration Elephant In The Room Is MIA In Yet Another Housing Crisis Report!"


Is The AUKUS Stupidity About To Be Called Out?
06/12/2025

Now we know that the Pentagon has launched a review of the AUKUS pact as the Trump administration looks to shift the burden for collective defense to allies and make sure the US has enough warships of its own. In 2021 AUKUS was the Biden-era the US$240bn agreement with Britain and Australia in which Australia … Continue reading "Is The AUKUS Stupidity About To Be Called Out?"


The US China Trade Smoke And Mirrors…
06/11/2025

I remember when I was traveling in Asia some year back, I had many people tell me about China’s ability to think long term, and play for long term wins. I recalled those conversations this week, as two days of talks on trade ended in London on Tuesday. Between the US and China. They are … Continue reading "The US China Trade Smoke And Mirrors…"