January Highlights:

1) Rental prices have sharply increased across Australia, particularly in Queensland, Western Australia, Victoria, and South Australia.

2) Australia’s housing market is often considered undersupplied, with a projected shortfall of over 100,000 dwellings by 2028.

3)  Equities in the US and Japan have continued to perform well in 2023, with the S&P 500 reaching a new record high and the Nikkei 225 up 7.5% year to date

4)   Inflation continues to moderate but remains high: Despite progress in easing inflation in the December quarter, inflation remains high at 4.1 percent. Goods price inflation has decreased, but services price inflation remains high due to excess demand and strong domestic cost pressures.

5)   Dwelling values in Australia rose by 67.5% over the past ten years, with a 8.1% increase in 2023 alone

6)    Consumer confidence in Australia dropped to its lowest level in 2024, following the Albanese Government’s decision to change the long-awaited Stage 3 tax cuts