BACK TO ALL INSIGHTS

November 2026

With longer days and the approach of summer, November is a good time to reflect on the year so far and look ahead to the opportunities and goals that lie ahead.

Inflation remained a key focus in October, with the Consumer Price Index rising 4.3% over the year to September, up from 4.0% in August.

Housing costs were the largest contributor to inflation, while higher fuel prices, driven by rising global oil prices continued to add pressure. Underlying inflation remained elevated at 3.6%, keeping attention firmly on the interest rate outlook ahead.

Consumer confidence weakened further, dropping 4.7% to 80.4 in October, down from 84.4 in September. Households continue to grapple with cost-of-living pressures, higher fuel costs and rising interest rates.

Australian shares were mixed but resilient, with the S&P/ASX 200 recovering from early weakness to post modest gains and finish the month at 8908.10, up by 1.4% following a 3.2% fall in September.

Globally, investors’ concerns about inflation, growth and interest rate movements continued amid the ongoing conflicts in the Middle East, fluctuating energy prices and elections in several major economies.

Looking beyond traditional asset classes

Share markets and property dominate most investment conversations, but some investors are casting a wider net in search of new opportunities.

While alternative assets have long had a place in institutional portfolios, they’re becoming increasingly accessible to individual investors through managed funds, exchange traded funds (ETFs) and specialist investment vehicles.

Alternative assets can include infrastructure, agricultural investments, private credit, commodities and other investments whose performance may not closely follow traditional share markets.

As always, alternative investments come with their own risks and should be assessed against your overall financial goals, time horizon and tolerance for risk.

Powering the AI revolution

Artificial intelligence has become one of the dominant investment themes of the decade, but many are looking beyond software developers and technology companies to the infrastructure supporting the AI boom.

The increasing use of AI, cloud computing, streaming services and digital communications is driving unprecedented demand for data centres, fibre-optic networks and communications infrastructure. Global investment in data-centre capacity and AI infrastructure continues to accelerate as organisations require greater processing power and data storage capabilities.ⁱ

Today, digital infrastructure is as essential to modern economies as roads, railways, ports and electricity networks were in previous generations. Many of these assets generate long-term contractual revenue streams and may provide a degree of stability compared with more volatile sectors.

Investors are increasingly seeing digital infrastructure as a way to get exposure to long-term growth without relying solely on technology company share prices.

Agriculture feeding long-term growth

Agriculture continues to attract investor attention because it is linked to one of the world’s most fundamental needs: food production.

Population growth, rising incomes and changing dietary patterns are expected to support demand for agricultural products and food supply chains. International organisations continue to highlight the significant investment required to support future agricultural production and food security.ⁱⁱ

Agricultural assets can include farmland, water entitlements, agricultural infrastructure and businesses involved in food production.

Agriculture also has characteristics that differ from many traditional investments. Returns can be influenced by crop production, commodity prices, land values and global food demand rather than share market sentiment alone.

Private credit stepping into the gap

Private credit has emerged as another area attracting attention. Rather than lending through traditional banks, private credit funds provide financing directly to businesses, property developments and other projects.

The sector has grown significantly in recent years as tighter banking regulations and changing lending conditions have encouraged many borrowers to seek alternative sources of capital.ⁱⁱⁱ

Private credit can provide access to income streams that may differ from those generated by traditional bonds or listed shares.

Critical minerals powering the energy transition

The global shift towards renewable energy, battery storage and electrification has also increased investor interest in critical minerals. Materials such as lithium, copper, nickel and rare earth elements are essential components in electric vehicles, batteries, renewable energy systems and modern technology.

Demand forecasts continue to be influenced by investment in clean energy infrastructure and the ongoing electrification of transport and industry.^iv

Emerging markets creating new opportunities

Some investors are also looking beyond developed economies in search of future growth opportunities.

Emerging economies such as India, Vietnam and Mexico have attracted increasing attention due to strong economic growth, expanding middle-class populations, growing consumer spending and increasing participation in global manufacturing and supply chains.

International forecasts suggest many emerging economies will contribute a significant share of future global growth.^v

Supply-chain diversification has also created opportunities for a number of countries looking to attract manufacturing investment from multinational businesses.

Investment in infrastructure, telecommunications and digital connectivity may support future growth across parts of Africa, Asia and Latin America.

Finding the right balance

Alternative investments can offer valuable opportunities to diversify sources of return and get exposure to long-term global trends.

While alternative assets may enhance diversification, they all come with their own level of risk, and they should not be viewed as a substitute for a well-balanced investment portfolio. Successful investing remains focused on aligning asset allocations with personal objectives, investment timeframes and risk tolerance.

For investors willing to look beyond traditional asset classes, alternative investments may provide another way to participate in some of the most significant economic and technological trends shaping the future.

Give your super a head start

Let’s be honest, for many teenagers and young adults, starting a first job is an exciting milestone. But the focus is usually on the first pay packet, saving for a car, travel, study or eventually a home deposit. Superannuation probably sounds boring right now and often sits much further down the priority list.

It’s totally understandable. You want to enjoy the money you’re earning now, not thinking about how much you’ll need in 40 or 50 years’ time. Yet young workers have one advantage no older investor can buy: time. Understanding how your super works now could pay off later in life.

The power of compounding

One of the reasons super can be so effective over the long-term is the power of compounding. It creates a snowball effect. The returns you earn on your super, earn even more returns. Your super fund puts your money to work in assets like shares, property, and infrastructure, which continuously generate returns and interest. That can have a surprisingly powerful effect. The earlier contributions are made, the more time they have to grow.ⁱ

For example, a Sydney Morning Herald article calculated that a 30-year-old earning $100,000 who contributes an extra $50 a week via salary sacrifice could boost their retirement balance by almost $120,000 by age 65.ⁱⁱ

You might think that you need large sums of money to boost your super. In reality, even small, regular contributions can have a meaningful impact over time.

If you’re paying rent, studying or just trying to cover everyday costs, that’s good news. You don’t need to find hundreds of dollars a month to start making a difference.

Government co-contribution

One of the most overlooked super incentives is the federal government’s super co-contribution scheme.

Eligible low and middle-income earners who make personal after-tax contributions to their super may receive a government contribution of up to $500. For the 2026-27 financial year, the maximum entitlement is available for eligible individuals with income up to $49,293, phasing out at higher income levels.ⁱⁱⁱ

If you’re working casually, part-time or while studying, this can be a simple way to give retirement savings an immediate boost.

Keep track of your super

A common issue some people face is having multiple super accounts after changing jobs. Multiple accounts can mean paying duplicate fees and, in some cases, insurance premiums that gradually reduce your balance.

While super stapling came into effect in 2021, it’s important to keep track of your super when you change jobs to ensure you don’t end up with multiple super accounts.

Balancing today’s goals with tomorrow’s

Most young workers are focused on the next few years rather than the next few decades. Your priorities are very different when you’re starting out your career, and your choices can feel far more immediate than retirement planning.

Building super doesn’t have to come at the expense of other financial goals. The aim isn’t necessarily to contribute large amounts when you’re just starting to earn some money. It’s about understanding the opportunities available, knowing how your super works and creating good financial habits early.

A good time for a financial health check

Starting a first job is the perfect time to start developing healthy financial habits.

Simple steps include:

checking that super contributions are being paid correctly
making sure multiple super accounts are consolidated where appropriate
understanding investment options in a super fund
reviewing fees and insurance arrangements
considering whether voluntary contributions are affordable

It might not feel so important now, but these small steps are often the foundation of good financial habits.^iv

Looking after future you

Young Australians have legitimate competing priorities. Paying bills, managing study costs, catching up with friends and still having a social life and can often feel more urgent than retirement planning.

But super is one of the few financial areas where starting small and starting early can create a significant long-term advantage. Spending a little time on your super now could make life a lot easier decades from now.

So why not give your future self a little head start. When it comes to your super, making small contributions early on could be worth more than you think.

i HostPlus | Growing your super with compound returns
ii SMH | How young workers can add six figures to their super
iii ATO | Super co-contribution
iv Professional Super | The wealth-accelerating benefits of super for young professionals

Market movements & review video – November 2026

Stay up to date with what’s happened in the Australian economy and markets over the past month.

We are all about keeping you informed and empowered and this month’s economic and market video provides a quick overview of the shifting Australian economic landscape and what’s driving market movements.

October saw global and Australian markets navigate ongoing uncertainty around inflation, economic growth and interest rates.

The Australian dollar remained sensitive to shifting expectations and uncertainty around the outlook for the US dollar continued to influence its performance.

As always, feel free to reach out if you have any questions or want to chat about your strategy.