Market Update – December 2024
19/12/2024
Issue 26, December 2024
From the MD's Desk
Welcome to our 26th edition of Affinity Insights.
As the year draws to a close, I’d like to take a moment to thank you for your trust and support throughout 2024. We really value our relationship with you, our clients, and we look forward to continuing this journey in 2025.
We hope the holiday season brings you joy, happiness, and time well spent with loved ones.
From all of us here at Affinity, we wish you a very happy festive season and may the New Year bring you prosperity and peace!
From Rodney M. DeGabriele and the Affinity Private Team
Festive Season Office Hours
Our office will be closed between the Christmas and New Year holiday period.
We will close from 12 noon on Friday, 20th December.
We will reopen on Monday, 13th January 2024.
Should you have any queries during this time, please send an email to enquiries@affinityprivate.com.au or if your matter is urgent, please contact Rodney DeGabriele on 0488 993 175.
Market Update - December 2024
Australia’s economic performance has deteriorated since mid-2022. Strong population growth is papering over the cracks, but the average household is still going backwards.
In this month’s Market Update, we provide an insight on the Australian economy and review whether our equity market is still as attractive as it was previously.
Our latest Market Update is now available to view here.
RBA – Key Economic Indicators Snapshot
Below is an infographic which is updated monthly by the RBA, summarising macroeconomic and financial market trends in Australia.
Reference: https://www.rba.gov.au
Supporting Charities
This year at Affinity, we supported and donated to Foodbank; Australia’s largest food relief charity.
Food insecurity is a prevalent issue in Australia, and the rising cost of living is one of the most common reasons that people are going hungry.
Foodbank Australia’s aim is to ensure that whatever challenges 2025 may bring, struggling to put food on the table won’t be one of them.
You can read Foodbank’s 2024 Hunger Report or visit the website to find out more.
A Christmas Tradition
On December 23, Oaxaca, Mexico, comes alive with the Night of the Radishes, a festive celebration where the humble vegetable takes center stage.
Radishes, often larger than life, are intricately carved into elaborate scenes and figures, transforming the vegetable into a canvas for artistic expression.
The tradition dates back to 1897, when market vendors began carving their radishes to draw attention and spark competition. The most creative displays earned admiration, and the custom quickly became an annual highlight, still drawing crowds today to marvel at the colourful, quirky artistry.
Reference: Oaxaca Travel tips
Would you let AI plan your next holiday?
When Jason Brown organised his summer holiday to Amsterdam and Ireland this year, he didn’t turn to a travel book or check out Instagram.
Instead, he consulted ChatGPT, Open AI’s generative artificial intelligence tool.
He asked the AI a range of questions to help plan an itinerary to Amsterdam and Ireland, including Dublin and Galway, for his 10-day trip in July and August this year with his wife, two sons aged 20 and 16, and one of their son’s friends.
“In the past I have always used sites such as TripAdvisor, but I realised I had all the knowledge at my fingertips [through AI] and it spits it out in 15 seconds.” He describes the experience as “fantastic”.
