Digital Finance Analytics (DFA) Blog

This week Edwin and I delve into scams, price movements along transport hubs, and explain why people are still wanting to get out of Melbourne, even as rental property supply is dwindling further in Sydney. Meantime the Real Estate industry is spruiking to high heaven, matched only by the massive spread of reports in the … Continue reading "Its Edwin’s Monday Evening Property Rant!"

One of the critical aspects of our freedoms in Australia is to be able to hold our elected representatives and the machinery of Government and its associated agencies to account. We are facing another battle as Australia’s Freedom of Information (FOI) legislation is on the brink of significant reform through the Freedom of Information Amendment … Continue reading "Turning Freedom Down Another Notch!"

Well, October is living up to its status as the most volatile month of the year as markets reach new highs, despite signs cockroaches are hiding in the woodwork from rising private credit risks, liquidity concerns, and rising delinquencies especially in US credit cards. The Global MSCI Index reach another high, up 1.78% across the … Continue reading "The Bulls Roar Some More; Despite The Cockroaches Lurking…."

I am joined by Edwin Almeida, our property insider as I walk through a 1:1 session on a really interesting and fast changing suburb. http://www.martinnorth.com/ Details of our one to one service are here: https://digitalfinanceanalytics.com/blog/dfa-one-to-one/ Go to the Walk The World Universe at https://walktheworld.com.au/ Find more at https://digitalfinanceanalytics.com/blog/ where you can subscribe to our research … Continue reading "What's Happening In Ashfield 2131? With Edwin Almeida"

Housing affordability, whether for those seeking to rent or to purchase, is at peak stupidity, driven directly by Government policy. Leading the charge (yes we can of course talk about first time buyer bribes, blocked approvals and developer taxes) is migration. High migration leads to more demand for property, period. The recent March for Australia … Continue reading "The Migration Con Gets Another Leg Up!"

Despite all the hype from the Banks, as at August 2025, the total value of Australian banknotes in circulation was a record $104.094 billion. This is the first time in history that the $104b mark has been eclipsed in Australia. This reflects a recent surge in cash usage, with strong withdrawals and a record amount … Continue reading "The Empire Strikes Back On The Future Use Of Cash!"

This is an edit of our live show as we dive into the latest ructions in crypto with evangelist Adam Stokes. Why is Bitcoin moving as it is, and what are the implications of the emergence of US Government supported stable-coins? https://www.youtube.com/@adamstokes Details of our one to one service are here: https://digitalfinanceanalytics.com/blog/dfa-one-to-one/ Go to the … Continue reading "DFA Live Q&A Replay: What The F… Just Happened In Crypto? With Adam Stokes"

This week Edwin and I go to town on the gap between the hype and reality in the market, as underscore the risks which ensure from being misled by the former. And we highlight the differences across regions and locations, and the implications for those thinking of buying “further out”. It may not be as … Continue reading "Its Edwin’s Monday Evening Property Rant!"

There is a long con going on around investment property which few want to discuss. Despite the hype surrounding demand and price rises, analysis of true returns are often very disappointing, and well below current returns from financial markets or gold, at least at the moment. So today using our granular data we examine the … Continue reading "The Property Investment Mirage…."

This is our weekly market update, where we start in the US, cross to Europe and Asia and end in Australia, covering commodities and crypto along the way. This past week saw significant gyrations in the market as trade tensions with China, US company results, rising debt risk, more AI investments and crypto mayhem all … Continue reading "When Markets Confuse As Things Fall Apart…"

Today I want to discuss a crisp question: are current AI trends a speculative bubble, or do they represent a lasting change in economic fundamentals? Given that most of the US markets rise has been driven by the rise of a few stocks, centred on AI, this is important, not least because when a bubble … Continue reading "AI: Bubble Or Transformational (Or Both)?"

This is my edit of a monthly show I record with Nuggets News on the latest finance, markets and property news. Things are closing in on peak stupidity, and valuations remain stretched, and in Australia, property looks likely to rise further, despite the prospects of rate cuts receding. We are in bubble territory, and recent … Continue reading "The Pain Game: Economic Update October 2025"

This is an edit of a live show as we go through our latest analysis, and deep dive on households and their finances. We will have the post code engine on line, so you can nominate specific post codes for analysis. Ratios of net disposable income to mortgage and rental payments are still very elevated. … Continue reading "DFA Live Q&A HD Replay: How Real Households Are Coping With The Property Pickle, Despite The Hype"

Some important news in today’s show, as Edwin’s audio is returned to pristine condition (yeh), as we pull apart the latest property news. It seems property auctions are still on the nose, rents are rising, and Chalmers backs down over superannuation tax reform. Albo’s holiday came just at the right timer eh? If you are … Continue reading "Its Edwin’s Monday Evening Property Rant!"

Associate Professor John Wright is back to dive further into the root cause of the property market crisis: carry trades. In his earlier show we discussed the philosophy based on his new book. https://youtu.be/fWTsHsGBHzY In this show we go deeper, as John Wright centres on the concept of Carry Trades and the practical implications. When … Continue reading "The Real Estate Carry Trade Is A “Death Star”: With John Wright"

Robbie Barwick, the Research Director at the Australian Citizens Party and I discuss the latest from Estimates, where again it is clear who is pulling the strings, and playing the tunes for the politicians from the major parties. We play some of the essential moments relating to bank branch closures and ASIC, to highlight why … Continue reading "The Banks Have Got The Major Parties By The Throat!"

This is our weekly market update where we start in the US, cross to Europe and Asia and end in Australia, covering commodities and crypto along the way. This was quite a week, again, as markets tested new highs earlier in the week, before being skittled by Trump's latest tariff announcement is reported as retaliatory … Continue reading "Spooked!"

I caught up with journalist Tarric Brooker to explore the latest stupidity across property, economics and politics. When you look at the data, you might wonder if things can get better, or not. From high home prices, to delayed household formation, it seems things are working against us – are we tracking the Japan story … Continue reading "Have We Reached Peak Idiocy Yet? With Tarric Brooker"

Dr Michael Rehm, a senior lecturer in property at the University of Auckland was quoted in the Guardian recently as saying “Buyers and sellers are starting to get the impression that house prices in New Zealand do not always go up. We're finally breaking down that long-held belief.” Which begs the question, will the latest … Continue reading "Kiwis Get a 0.5% Rate Cut; As Economy Stalls And Home Prices Fall!"

Gold reached and briefly surpassed $4,000 per ounce in early October 2025 which traded below $2,000 just two years ago, with returns that now outstrip those for equities this century. Gold has jumped more than 50% this year. This new record is both a market milestone and a signal of deeper macro‑political stress and importantly … Continue reading "Gold Tops The 4K Mountain; So Where Next?"

Markets are shrugging off bad news, and heading for the stars, so will we see a melt-up into the end of the year, or are concerns over the debasement trade, the US close down and the AI mutual investments going to spoil the party? Join Damien Klassen, Head of Investments at Walk The World Funds … Continue reading "DFA Live Q&A HD Replay: Investing Now: Are The Bulls In Charge? With Damien Klassen"

A big outing this week, following the 1st October First Buyer changes, and the myopic reporting in the MSM. What are the real stories we should be exploring? Edwin and I dive deep into the mire… If you are buying your home in Sydney's contentious market, you do not need to stand alone. This is … Continue reading "Its Edwin’s Monday Evening Property Rant!"

Despite the media hype around the price inflating first home owner incentives, there is a broader story to tell about household finances and the impact unaffordable housing and high rents are having on society. So in this show, we examine the latest media floss, as well as the latest from our household surveys and modelling … Continue reading "How Real Households Are Coping With The Property Pickle; Despite The Hype…"

This is our weekly market update, where we start in the US, cross to Europe and Asia and end in Australia, and cover commodities and crypto along the way. Today we ask whether the rising popularity of bitcoin and gold reflects deeper economic anxieties. And with US Government now shut down while market has historically … Continue reading "Enter The Debasement Trade; As Markets Claw Higher; Despite Reality Dawning…"

There was, in my view some significant misdirection contained in the Reserve Bank's recently released Financial Stability Review, released on Thursday, which they say provides a comprehensive assessment of the health and resilience of Australia's financial system.All up they say that Australia's financial system remains well positioned to navigate a period of elevated global uncertainty, … Continue reading "Everything Is Fine Folks; Just Look Over Here! But…."

Judging by all the spruiking, property markets are about to boom, and crowds of first time buyers are crowding in. But actually, the real story is rather different not least because of the real incomes required to service a 95% loan. So today we examine this, and also the regional property question. Although the high-level … Continue reading "Time For Some Home Truths: Maybe?"

Housing affordability is getting worse, home prices continued to trek higher in September, according to the latest data from Cotality. The recent 3 rate cuts have put a rocket on price movements, pumped by high migration demand, investor demand, and from first time buyers, demand there will be pumped further of course as the enhance … Continue reading "Some Home Prices Boom Higher; As Expected: But Words And Figures Differ…"

This is an edit of our live show in which we discussed the RBA decision today, and continued our series about the new First Time Buyer Government scheme to start 1 October. I was joined by Aaron Scott from bRight Agent. There are some important factors to consider, which potentially have significant implications for people … Continue reading "DFA Live Q&A HD Replay: Avoiding The First Time Property Trap: With bRight"

Another Rant, this week, with a new mike for Edwin as we dive deep into the murky waters of the property market. From off-market deals, to high-rise for oldies, we pick apart the latest news, and underscore an important warning! If you are buying your home in Sydney's contentious market, you do not need to … Continue reading "Its Edwin’s Monday Evening Property Rant!"

Continuing our series on First Time Buyers, we look at the latest data from the Bank of Mum and Dad (or better The Family Bank!), and dig into the other channels though which prospective first time buyers can get assistance, thanks to Federal and State initiatives (which by the way are impossible to cost out, … Continue reading "First Time Buyers In Wonderland!"

This is our weekly market update where we start in the US, cross to Europe and Asia, and end in Australia, covering commodities and crypto along the way. As artificial intelligence stocks such as Nvidia, Meta Platforms, Microsoft and Alphabet push higher and higher, and even tech laggards such as Oracle and Intel suddenly catch … Continue reading "Close To Full Ponzi? Bubbles, Bubbles Everywhere; But Will They Pop Or Not?"

Another Friday evening deep dive into the economy, with journalist Tarric Brooker, as we look at the latest trends in real income, the thorny question of the trajectory of interest rates and the future direction of the political discourse around migration and climate change. And yes folks, TB’s audio is now up to snuff! His … Continue reading "Australia's Economy Is Worse Than You Think! With Tarric Brooker"

This is an edit of a special event, ahead of the new First Time Buyer Scheme launching 1st October 2025, as I am joined by the CEO of Alcove Mortgage Brokers, Chris Bates who over the past 11 years, has helped 1,000s of clients navigate the challenge of successfully buying their first home. Purchasing not … Continue reading "DFA Live Q&A HD Replay: Avoiding The First Time Property Trap: With Chris Bates"

The latest monthly inflation read from the ABS shook analysts and markets, because it came in much hotter than expected. “It's a very hot CPI print,” said Andrew Lilley, chief rate strategist at Barrenjoey. “It's a lot hotter than anybody expected. The market will see this as inconsistent with the Reserve Bank of Australia cutting … Continue reading "The Inflation Monster Stirs Again…"

For a change, property insider Edwin Almeida and I went live for our regular property rant this week. If you are buying your home in Sydney's contentious market, you do not need to stand alone. This is the time you need to have Edwin from Ribbon Property Consultants standing along side you. Buying property, is … Continue reading "DFA Live Q&A HD Replay: Its Edwin’s Property Rant LIVE!"

From the more than 5,000 shows in our archive there are a few which stand out as being important in shaping our understand of finance, property, society and politics. Today we reprise a show from 2020 recorded with my friend George, where we went down the rabbit hole to ask what is real, and how … Continue reading "DFA Classic: What’s Really Going On Under The Hood? Let’s Go Down The Rabbit Hole!"

From the more than 5,000 shows in our archive there are a few which stand out as being important in shaping our understand of finance, property, society and politics. Today we reprise a show from 2020 recorded with I caught up with Guy Standing, Professorial Research Associate at SOAS University of London Today in one … Continue reading "Guy Standing's Eight Giants And The Potential For UBI"

Forward guidance seems to have evaporated today! The Central Bankers seem to push their forecasts out again, as inflation remains hot. But Central Bankers seem caught in the headlights of conflicting data and political pressure, especially in the USA. Many households are caught in the cross-fire! How credible is the pursuit of the “2%”? This … Continue reading "Central Bank Fest With A Bias To Cutting…"

I regularly get comments from viewers that the official data on CPI and employment seem a bit off. And of course there is data from other sources which suggests this is the case. We need a good data compass to understand what is going on in the economy, and its probably more important now that … Continue reading "Behind the Numberwang: Can You Trust Official Statistics?"

This is an edit of a live discussion with Chief Economist Leith van Onselen (one of our most popular guests!) as we explore the latest economic data and dive deep into the chaos created by years of poor policy. Leith is the co-founder of Macrobusiness, and Economist at Nucleus Wealth. We did a deep dive … Continue reading "DFA Live Q&A HD Replay: Who Killed The Australian Economy? With Leith van Onselen"

Another deep dive into the property market with our insider Edwin Almeida, as we look at the latest “stories” in the media about home price momentum, new data on what is happening, and a couple of critical case studies… Has the Blue Screen of Death hit the Australian economy? Note next week we will live … Continue reading "Its Edwin’s Monday Evening Property Rant!"

This is our weekly market update where we start in the US, cross to Europe and Asia and end in Australia, covering commodities and crypto along the way. As I mentioned last week, I regard these posts as perhaps the most important I make, even if not the most popular, so I was gratified by … Continue reading "AI Tide Lifts All Boats; Including The Leaky Ones!"

This is my edit of a long form discussion with Adam Stokes broadcast on his channel last night. We pull apart the news from the US shooting of Charlie Kirk and reflect on the broader issues below the surface, through a deeply philosophical lens. What does it say about our political leaders and processes, society … Continue reading "WTF Just Happened? Beyond Left Versus Right!"

More stats from the ABS today suggesting high numbers of people visiting Australia, but does this also mean migration is still booming? Well according to the ABS we cannot draw such conclusions, but then if you look harder, it does appear migration is rising, despite the wish to high the fact – so can we … Continue reading "Let's Not Talk About Migration Then…."

This is my edit of the latest economic and housing update with Nuggets News. We cover international events, the US data problem, the FED, liquidity as well as Australian housing, and the local economy. Its a mess, and you cannot make this stuff up! http://www.martinnorth.com/ Details of our one to one service are here: https://digitalfinanceanalytics.com/blog/dfa-one-to-one/ … Continue reading "You Can't Make This Stuff Up: Our Latest Economic Update!"

This is an edit of a live discussion as I explore the latest data from our surveys, and answer specific questions from viewers about how specific post codes are faring in terms of mortgage, rental, investor and overall financial stress to end August 2025. Refer my recent post here, for more details: https://youtu.be/ID5NeEPthvo Details of … Continue reading "DFA Live Q&A HD Replay: Property Myths V Reality As Financial Pressures Still Build"

Robbie Barwick The National Research Director from the Australian Citizens Party and I examine the bad behaviour exhibited by Bendigo Bank as it seeks to ape the other “big” players (alligators?) in Australia and close branches where they can, despite having profitable business in regional towns and in some places remain the only branch in … Continue reading "The Attack Of The Alligators, The Slow Death Of Real Australia: With Robbie Barwick"

A bumper addition of the Rant tonight, as Edwin shares a recent interview with one of the big property players, we examine the policy failures across federal and state governments, and dig into the latest statistics. The gap between reality and spruiking is getting wider, something is going fall into the abyss… If you are … Continue reading "Its Edwin’s Monday Evening Property Rant!"

We look at the latest contradictions in housing, as the media talk up the potential for price hikes ahead, in response to Government policy, and rate cuts from the RBA. Problem is, this is only half the story, and people are being deceived. The other side of the coin is the ongoing financial pressure on … Continue reading "Property Myths V Reality As Financial Pressures Still Build"

This is our weekly market update where we start in the US, cross to Europe and Asia and end in Australia, covering commodities and crypto along the way. Weirdly, while I regard this weekly show as one of the most important, it generally gets lower view counts than many of my posts. Do please, comment, … Continue reading "Stagflation Is Looming: Like It Or Not!"

Australian consumers are starting to spend more as disposable incomes and wealth climb, a welcome boost for the economy that could slow the pace of monetary easing if it persists, according to Reserve Bank Governor Michele Bullock. Though I am not buying what she is selling. Australian consumers are of course a mixed bunch, with … Continue reading "Confident Or Constrained Consumer?"