Andrew Romano

A record bank profit can sit alongside weaker borrowing demand.

1) CBA reported a $10.9B profit.

2) Loan applications are down 20% since May.

3) Look beyond headline profits and track credit demand, property activity and the broader economy.

Watch here: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=IaDNkbnNprU

Educational content only. Not financial advice.

Australia’s fuel exposure is a reminder that household and investment decisions do not sit in separate boxes.

1) Imported oil and limited refining capacity can leave fuel prices exposed to overseas shocks.

2) Higher diesel costs can flow through to food, freight and business margins.

3) Review cash flow, debt and property assumptions together when costs and rates are moving.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2CPERKHplqY

Educational content only. Not financial advice.

MARKET MOVES

* ASX futures up 18 points or 0.2% to 8365 near 6am AEST
* AUD +0.2% at US62.89¢
* Bitcoin +1.5% to $US105,475
* Dow +0.8% S&P +0.2% Nasdaq -0.2%
* Gold -0.03% to $US2755.66 an ounce
* Brent oil -0.9% at $US78.28 a barrel
* Iron ore +0.3% at $US103.90 a tonne

New episode out now: It's a tricky time in the market!

Sellers want top dollar, while buyers wait for a possible dip.

A market stalemate rewards preparation, not guesswork.

Watch here: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rFCow5q5GpA

Educational content only. Not financial advice.

The Low Income Superannuation Tax Offset is increasing for the first time since 2012. From 1 July 2027, 1.3 million Australians will receive a new or higher payment directly into their super.

What is LISTO? It exists because workers on lower incomes pay 15% tax on their super contributions - the same flat rate as everyone else - even though their marginal income tax rate is lower. LISTO corrects this by refunding up to $810 back into the super fund.

What's changing from 1 July 2027:
- Maximum payment: $500 to $810 per year
- Income threshold: $37,000 to $45,000
- Approximately 1.3 million workers benefit

Who gets it: eligible workers earning up to $45,000 with concessional contributions during the year. Calculated as 15% of concessional contributions, up to the $810 maximum.

How it's paid: automatically. The ATO calculates it from tax and super data and deposits it directly to your fund. No application required.

For 2026-27: the existing LISTO applies - $500 maximum, $37,000 threshold. The increase kicks in for 2027-28 onwards.

The legislation is already passed. This is happening.

The 2026-27 Budget proposed a 30% minimum tax on discretionary trusts, intended to start 1 July 2028. It has not passed into law, Treasury's consultation closed in July with no bill yet introduced.

If you use a family trust, it's worth understanding what's actually been proposed versus what's still just a proposal. We've laid out both.

https://www.ftconsultants.com.au/30pc-minimum-tax-discretionary-trusts/

New episode out now: The property market is at a standstill!

Lending changes have buyers hesitating while sellers wait for better prices.

This episode looks at what a slower market can mean for buyers and sellers.

Watch here: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DZuXz9PNXYg

Educational content only. Not financial advice.

MARKET MOVES

* ASX futures down 6 points or 0.1% to 8991 near 6am AEST
* AUD +0.2% at US72.17¢
* Bitcoin -0.6% to $US79,355
* Dow -0.5% S&P -0.4% Nasdaq -0.3%
* Gold -0.6% to $US4404.30 an ounce
* Brent oil +0.8% at $US97.00 a barrel
* Iron ore +1.0% at $US100.55 a tonne

Fuel prices can become a property and cash-flow issue when they feed into wider costs.

1) Australia’s reliance on imported oil increases exposure to overseas supply shocks.

2) Expensive diesel can affect transport, food prices and business margins.

3) The right response is to stress-test the whole position: cash reserves, debt, rates and property values.

What part of your household or business budget is most exposed to fuel costs?

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2CPERKHplqY

Educational content only. Not financial advice.