Latest News

General News

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  2012 and Beyond - A List of Lists

  Shane Oliver, AMP's Head of Investment Strategy & Chief Economist

  This note provides a summary of key views on the global economy and the investment outlook for 2012 and beyond. Key points are as follows: 2012 is likely to be a better year than 2011. Watch European bond yields, Chinese money supply growth and the US ISM index. The emerging world remains in good... Read more »
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  Has Europe Done Enough and What Does This Mean for the World?

  Oliver's Insights: Has Europe done enough and what does this mean for the world? This note looks at the latest package out of Europe designed to deal with its sovereign debt problems. The key points are as follows: > Europe has announced plans to write down more Greek debt, recapitalise banks, expand the firepower... Read more »
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  Seagrims Newsletter - Spring 2011

  Our Spring 2011 is now availble for download (please click on the link below). A copy of the newsletter will be mailed to our clients shortly. If you wish to receive the newsletter, please contact us. Read more »
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  Slumping Global Share Markets and Debt Debacles

  Oliver's Insights - Slumping global share markets and debt debacles This note looks at the deterioration in the global growth outlook and the debt problems in the US and Europe. The key points are as follows: The fall in share markets has accelerated on signs the global economic outlook is faltering badly. The squabbles... Read more »
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  The US Loses Its AAA Credit Rating from S&P

  Oliver's Insights - The US loses its AAA credit rating from S&P This note looks at the downgrade to America's sovereign credit rating by Standard and Poor's. The key points are: Ratings agency Standard & Poor's has followed through with its threat to downgrade America's sovereign credit rating from AAA to AA+ because budget... Read more »
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  Seagrims Joins WealthSure

  Australia's largest Independently Owned* dealer group Wealthsure Pty Ltd (Australian Financial Services Licensee, License Number 238030) has conducted due diligence and has agreed to provide financial advice to Seagrims' 5000 clients.  From 1st July Seagrims was issued with a Corporate Authority through Wealthsure. Along with this authorisation Wealthsure will provide support in the areas... Read more »
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  The outlook for Australian interest rates – up, down or sideways?

  Oliver's Insights - The outlook for Australian interest rates - up, down or sideways? This article looks at the outlook for Australian short-term interest rates. The key points are as follows: Raising interest rates in response to the worse than expected June quarter inflation result would be a major mistake. Global uncertainties are high,... Read more »
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  Global Economies Catch a Chill

  In this article, Felix Stephen, Manager Strategy & Research at Advance, considers the recent concerns of global economic growth and the outlook for asset classes. Please download the attached file to read the article.   Source: Advance   Wealthsure Pty Ltd (ABN 93 097 405 108) nor Seagrims Pty Ltd, make no representation or warranty... Read more »
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  Trust Co Announces More Capital Returns for the Astarra Balanced Fund, Astarra Conservative Fund and Astarra Growth Fund

  In a letter to investors dated 10 June 2011, Trust Co has announced more capital returns for the Astarra Diversified Funds investors are in the pipeline. You can download the full letter below.   Read more »
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  ACT Super to Move Seagrims Retirement Plan (Astarra) Over to AMP in the First Week of July

  Contrary to previous expectations, no second payment has yet been made to AMP in respect of the Seagrims Retirement Plan - Astarra succesor of funds transfer. The cash from Trust Co has just been received by ACT Super who are currently working through the calculations for each member. ACT Super will have to send... Read more »
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  Federal Budget 2011 Summary

  2011 Federal Budget summary 10 May 2011 Source: MLC The Gillard Government, handing down its first Budget, confirmed a range of previously announced tax, super and social security policy changes. And while the Budget has been received as relatively restrained, some new measures were outlined which may impact how you manage your finances today... Read more »

• Adelaide Rental Property Update

  A CRITICAL shortage of vacant properties has led to sharply rising rents with no relief in sight this year.

  Escalating median rents in the March quarter point to sustained hikes throughout the year, according to Australian Property Monitors' Rental Price Series Quarterly Report. Housing affordability, and the shortage and spiralling costs of rental properties across the country will continue to put the squeeze on renters in 2011, the report says. Nationally, unit rental... Read more »
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  Seagrims Clients Delighted With News Over Government Compensation

  Since the news was announced about the approval of the Government Compensation for Astarra Superannuation clients (read here), we have received an overwhelming amount of positive reactions from our clients. We would like to use this opportunity to thank all Seagrims clients for their patience, understanding and loyalty during the last 18 months. Below... Read more »
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  Unit Prices For TRIO Managed Investment Schemes Released

  On 12 April 2011 The Trust Company, Trio's Responsible Entity, announced the long-awaited unit prices for the Trio Managed Investment Schemes (for investors outside of superannuation). You can download a copy of the full document below. The unit prices for the superannuation schemes are expected to be released in a couple of weeks. Read more »
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  Great News for Seagrims Super and Allocated Pension Clients - Government Compensation Confirmed!

  The largest compensation package in Australian history will be paid by the Federal Government to help investors who lost money with superannuation fund Trio. Under the terms of the $55 million bailout package, which were announced today by the Assistant Treasurer and Minister for Financial Services and Superannuation, Bill Shorten, compensation will be paid... Read more »
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  Is Your House In Order?

  One of the realities in life is the formidable jolt we all get when we are confronted with shocks or traumas. These are measured differently with how closely they affect family members.  We have all experienced knowing of a death, a disability or a major trauma and sometimes we may realise the need to... Read more »
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  Anne-Marie Guest Speaker at the Colonel Light Gardens Probus Club

  On March 4th, Anne-Marie was the guest speaker at the Colonel Light Gardens probus club. She spoke to approximately 70 women about having fun with their hard-earned money and making the most of what they have. Anne-Marie also spoke about Estate planning and making sure the right people end up with the right assets... Read more »
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  Markets React To Events In Japan - What's The Impact On The Global Recovery

    Markets reacted dramatically to events in Japan overnight, so we've spoken to Felix Stephen, Advance's Strategy & Research Manager, (who is currently overseas meeting global central bankers and investment strategists), for some insight into what this means for investors around the world. Commodities pricing The most immediate impact appears to be on commodities,... Read more »
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  Women's Health & Wealth Seminars Great Success

  Over $1500 raised for the Make-A-Wish® Australia Foundation

    The seminars for woman held in Port Lincoln, Port Augusta, Whyalla, Port Pirie, Jamestown and Kadina have once again been run with great success. Over $1500 was raised for the Make-A-Wish® Australia Foundation. Many woman attended the sessions said they were inspired by what Anne-Marie Seagrim, Director of Seagrims, had to say. She... Read more »
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  UK Lifetime Pensions for Retired Public Servants Are About To Be Slashed

  Breaking News from London: 10th March 2011

  DAVID BUIK - Chief economist with BGC Partners in London comments:- "It's been pointed out at the moment that if we carry on at the rate we are, the Government is now - or the taxpayer is paying £4 billion in terms of contributions to the public sector (pensions) which will rise to £10... Read more »
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  Courtis: More Devastation For The Japanese Economy

  Interview with Ken Courtis, a senior investment banker and former vice-president of Goldman Sachs, and a long-time resident of Tokyo

    Australian Broadcasting Corporation Broadcast: 11/03/2011 Reporter: Ali Moore Transcript ALI MOORE, PRESENTER: Ken Courtis is a senior investment banker and former vice-president of Goldman Sachs. He's a long-time resident of Tokyo and we had planned to talk to him this evening about the global economy as he's just arrived in Paris after a... Read more »
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  Share Scams

  Don't get caught!

  Also known as a boiler room scam, this modern con aims to trick you out of your money by offering online investment opportunities that seem too good to be true - because they are. Whenever a new form of technology becomes readily available to the public, money-generating scams are likely to follow. ASIC receives... Read more »
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  Unexpected Share Offers

  Although it is not illegal to make an unsolicited offer to buy someone's shares, it is against the law to mislead or deceive shareholders into accepting an offer. Also, the offer must comply with strict legal requirements, including the prohibition against misleading or deceptive or unconscionable conduct. Under the current laws a person who... Read more »
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  Unexpected Frozen Fund Offers

  A frozen fund is a registered managed investment scheme that was marketed on the basis that investors had an ongoing or periodic right to redeem their investments on request, but has since then suspended that right. Some investors have received unexpected offers to buy their units in frozen funds, at prices less than the... Read more »
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  Superannuation Co-contribution Incentive

  Are you Eligible?

  The Co-contribution scheme gives you the opportunity to have extra Government contributions made to your super if you make voluntary contributions and your income is less than $61,920. Despite some trimming in the budget, those on less than $31,920 p.a. will still receive a dollar for dollar co-contribution, up to a maximum of $1,000.... Read more »
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  Five Reasons for Investing in Shares

  1.  Capital Growth2.  Dividends3.  Ease of sale and purchase4.  Diversify your investments5.  Brand Name Security 1. Capital growth Over the longer term, shares can produce significant capital gains through increases in share prices. Some companies also issue free or bonus shares to their shareholders as another way of passing on company profits or increases... Read more »
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  What is the real cost of a Comfortable Retirement?

  While this may be a subjective question, it is helpful to have a benchmark to compare with. One such ongoing study, the Westpac ASFA Retirement Standard, provides a comprehensive analysis of costs incurred in retirement and is updated quarterly. The study constantly reviews expenditure types so that it remains relevant to changing consumer needs... Read more »