The RBA is good, but not a good forecaster!

The superannuation ideas of the super-rich were heavily featured in today's media, and we can't disagree that Australia's super pool, the fourth largest in the world, (which is significant not only in itself, but particulary against the fact that Australia only has the 13^th largest economy) creates an extraordinary pool of capital which could benefit other sections of the economy.

While we wouldn't disagree that it could be used as a source of capital for Australian businesses, this in itself would create a number of issues regarding eligibility and security of the funds. Hedge Clippings has no doubt that these issues could be resolved, but we would still argue that the allocation of a portion of superannuation funds to much-needed infrastructure projects would make an even better fit.

One such reason is that the long-term funding requirements of infrastructure projects ideally meets the investment timeline of superannuation funds. Another is that a relatively steady income stream of around 5%, or cash +3% would be attractive to both the project and the superannuation fund, particularly that portion currently held as cash or in government bonds.

Finally, if there were to be approved infrastructure bonds, any superannuation fund, including the SMSF sector which makes up over 30% of the total, could invest an appropriate portion, possibly with a taxation carrot or stick attached. Given that the allocation of SMSF's to cash is reportedly high at around 25% or more, funding for Australia's much-needed infrastructure requirements could be met with a win/win/win outcome.

Elsewhere this week a speech by Philip Lowe, Governor of the Reserve Bank at the Australian Business Economists Annual Dinner caught our attention, and gave an insight into the difficult balancing act that the RBA has been facing. Entitled "Some Evolving Questions", and referring to a previous speech he had given in 2012 entitled "What Is Normal", the Governor admitted that the RBA is still searching to understand: What is normal?

However on the economic front things are anything but normal, with low unemployment and solid employment growth, an increase in the wage price index of only 2% over 12 months, and an increase in average earnings per hour barely above 1%. As a result consumer confidence is low, particularly given that the level of household debt to income ratio is forecast to top 200% within a year or so.

The RBA is keen to raise interest rates next year but is unlikely to be able to do so. Even a small increase will put further pressure on consumers who are already struggling, although businesses are continuing improve margins on the back of low rates and productivity and technology improvements. But most of all, as a result of high household debt levels, the already cooling property market would have difficulty with any rate increase without any increase in household incomes.

Finally, the RBA is currently forecasting consumption growth of 3% over 2018 and into 2019 but what is normal is that the RBA's forecasts are overly optimistic!  For the past seven years they seem to have been fixated by a forecast in consumption growth of around 3.5%, with actual consumption growth failing to achieve it on each occasion.

And while talking of "What is Normal", 10 years ago today Kevin Rudd took over as Prime Minister, the first of five we have had since then. Maybe the new "normal" is a revolving door at The Lodge?

Ethics as an option?

Dr Simon Longstaff of The Ethics Centre (formerly the St James Ethics Centre) was quoted this week as saying he felt he'd been trying to sell umbrella's in a drought for the past 30 years, but that maybe it is now starting to drizzle.

Hedge Clippings presumes he means that organisations are starting to understand that ethics are important, and as such his wisdom and advice is now being appreciated - in some quarters - at least more than it was.

It is unfortunate of course that this has probably only come about as a result of some failures and the resulting embarrassment in the banking sector in particular, with the media having a field day with the CBA's money laundering, and various examples of market manipulation and rate rigging amongst the other banks. Suffice to say that if the rules on market manipulation in those markets were the same as insider trading in equities, there'd be some significant "holidays" being handed out by the courts, rather than hefty fines being paid by long suffering shareholders.

It is however a sad reflection on the real world of business that the good Doctor Longstaff and The Ethics Centre even exist. Most intelligent and reasonably educated business people - banker or otherwise - know the difference between right and wrong. The problem is they just don't feel the normal ethical rules apply to them, or that the reward is such that they couldn't care anyway.

We long remember the term "Commercially Naïve" being applied to anyone who put ethics ahead of profitability - and it was not meant as a compliment. That Dr Longstaff is now managing to offload a few of his stock of umbrellas is encouraging, but disconcerting that it is only to avoid the recipient getting wet, rather than not needing one in the first place.