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 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.
Shannon Smit, Founding Director of Smart Private Wealth, has been awarded the prestigious Excellence in Innovation award at the 2025 Count Financial Awards, recognising her ground-breaking leadership in transforming how financial advice and professional services are delivered in Australia.
