Register For Our Mailing List

Register to receive our free weekly newsletter including editorials.

Home / 214

Australian shares: what happened to the miracle economy?

Most companies report their financial years ending in June, and as we head into profit reporting season in Australia, it is worth checking the outlook for earnings and dividends.

Company earnings tend to rise after economic booms and then decline after economic slowdowns. There is a lag between when activity affects a company and the time it reports it to the market, often many months later. Share prices lead earnings. Ironically, share price crashes generally occur while earnings are strong (because reporting lags activity) and share rebounds generally happen when earnings are weakest. Dividends lag even further behind. Dividends cuts are the last resort for boards.

Earnings and share market cycles

The chart shows the All Ordinaries Index (blue), the aggregate company earnings per share (orange) and aggregate dividends per share (green) since 2005.

2008 was a great year for profits (although much of it was accounting fiddles, revaluations of already over-valued assets, and straight out fraud, as it is in all booms) but share prices crashed. Then in mid-late 2009 to 2010 earnings were falling and dividends were being cut savagely but share prices rebounded strongly.

The problem at the moment is on the right side of the chart. Aggregate earnings per share fell in 2015 and 2016, mainly due to losses in the big miners, oil and gas, and other write-offs on bad acquisitions such as by NAB and Woolworths. Dividends are also weak, again mainly due to mining but also ANZ last year and probably Telstra soon.

Company earnings and dividends struggling

Despite Australia’s so-called ‘miracle economy’ that has not had a ’recession’ in 25 years, company earnings are still some 30% below where they were 10 years ago, and dividends are still 7% lower - and that’s before inflation. The actual dollar amount of dividends has risen, but the per-share figures are lower because of all the dilutive capital raisings imposed on investors in the GFC. Investors have had to put their hands in their pockets due to the mistakes of managements and boards and to pay more for the same dollar amount of dividends.

In the up-coming August reporting season, we are expecting modest growth in earnings and dividends. The big cartel-like banks are reaping windfall profits from their coordinated rate hikes on housing loans while they keep loss provisions at wafer-thin levels, and the miners are restoring profits and dividends as they put prior losses behind them thanks to the commodities price rebound in 2016.

What lies ahead?

This calendar year thus far has been kind to investors who hold sensibly diversified portfolios. Share prices are rising in most markets around the world, interest rates remain low everywhere, oil prices are benign, and market volatility is at record lows. There are even early signs of much hoped-for price inflation in Europe and Japan. Only faint, but enough to prompt central bankers to start talking about scaling back asset buying programs and maybe even raising interest rates. Probably too soon, but the prospect has kept bond yields low after their spike late last year.

Europe seems to have settled down a little following Emmanuel Macron’s stunning election win in France, but a much larger test will be at the Italian elections later this year. Italy has probably the largest general anti-Europe vote and it may be a repeat of Brexit. Chinese growth numbers are being propped up leading up to November’s convention when Xi Jinping will seek (and receive) glowing endorsement of his glorious reign. In Australia, the government seems to glide along not doing much, getting diverted into endless dead ends and distractions. The local economy bounces along lurching from one source of good fortune to the next. This time it is the purely fortuitous rise in commodities prices and the resulted unexpected gains in mining tax revenues taking the pressure off doing anything about the budget deficit and mounting debt pile.

In the US President Trump remains completely incomprehensible and unpredictable. Months ago, I gave up trying to remember the names of all the various characters he hires and fires each week. So far Trump has run into difficulty getting his legislation through Congress and his executive orders through the Courts. Where he has freer rein is in foreign policy, but in the past week another major check to his power was added when Congress effectively blocked his ability to lift sanctions on Russia. Trump is certainly inventing new ways to be unconventional, but the rest of the system (and increasingly his own Republican Party) is also inventing new ways to make sure he doesn’t do too much damage. The bigger picture is that Trump is probably removing America from its dominant place in the world, exemplified by the recent G-20 meeting in Hamburg which effectively became the G19 without Trump.

When an incumbent power is removed or vacates its central role, the resulting vacuum rarely resolves itself neatly. There will be big challenges ahead where real leadership is required, such as dealing with China’s North Korea.

 

Ashley Owen is Chief Investment Officer at privately-owned advisory firm Stanford Brown and The Lunar Group. He is also a Director of Third Link Investment Managers, a fund that supports Australian charities. This article is general information that does not consider the circumstances of any individual.


 

Leave a Comment:

RELATED ARTICLES

Changing times as share investors settle in for the long haul

It was a good year for shares, but what’s ahead?

ASX large cap outlook for 2025

banner

Most viewed in recent weeks

Finding the best income-yielding assets

With fixed term deposit rates declining and bank hybrids being phased out, what are the best options for investors seeking income? This goes through the choices, and the opportunities and risks involved.

What history reveals about market corrections and crashes

The S&P 500's recent correction raises concerns about a bear market. History shows corrections are driven by high rates, unemployment, or global shocks, and that there's reason for optimism for nervous investors today. 

Howard Marks: the investing game has changed

The famed investor says the rapid switch from globalisation to trade wars is the biggest upheaval in the investing environment since World War Two. And a new world requires a different investment approach.

Welcome to Firstlinks Edition 605 with weekend update

Trump's tariffs and China's retaliatory strike have sent the Nasdaq into a bear market with the S&P 500 not far behind. What are the implications for the economy and markets, and what should investors do now? 

  • 3 April 2025

Designing a life, with money to spare

Are you living your life by default or by design? It strikes me that many people are doing the former and living according to others’ expectations of them, leading to poor choices including with their finances.

World's largest asset manager wants to revolutionise your portfolio

Larry Fink is one of the smartest people in the finance industry. In his latest shareholder letter, the Blackrock CEO outlines his quest to become the biggest player in private assets and upend investor portfolios.

Latest Updates

Investment strategies

An enlightened dividend path

While many chase high yields, true investment power lies in companies that steadily grow dividends. This strategy, rooted in patience and discipline, quietly compounds wealth and anchors investors through market turbulence.

Investment strategies

Don't let Trump derail your wealth creation plans

If you want to build wealth over the long-term, trying to guess the stock market's next move is generally a bad idea. In a month where this might be more tempting than ever, here is what you should focus on instead.

Economics

Pros and cons of Labor's home batteries scheme

Labor has announced a $2.3 billion Cheaper Home Batteries Program, aimed at slashing the cost of home batteries. The goal is to turbocharge battery uptake, though practical difficulties may prevent that happening.

Investment strategies

Will China's EV boom end in tears?

China's EV dominance is reshaping global auto markets - but with soaring tariffs, overcapacity, and rising scrutiny, the industry’s meteoric rise may face a turbulent road ahead. Can China maintain its lead - or will it stall?

Investment strategies

REITs: a haven in a Trumpian world?

Equity markets have been lashed by Trump's tariff policies, yet REITs have outperformed. Not only are they largely unaffected by tariffs, but they offer a unique combination of growth, sound fundamentals, and value.

Shares

Why Europe is back on the global investor map

European equities are surging ahead of the U.S this year, driven by strong earnings, undervaluation, and fiscal stimulus. With quality founder-led firms and a strengthening Euro, Europe may be the next global investment hotspot.

Chalmers' disingenuous budget claims

The Treasurer often touts a $207 billion improvement in Australia's financial position. A deeper look at the numbers reveals something less impressive, caused far more by commodity price surprises than policy.

Fixed interest

Duration: Friend or foe in a defensive allocation?

Duration is back. After years in the doghouse, shifting markets and higher yields are restoring its role as a reliable diversifier and income source - offering defensive strength in today’s uncertain environment.

Sponsors

Alliances

© 2025 Morningstar, Inc. All rights reserved.

Disclaimer
The data, research and opinions provided here are for information purposes; are not an offer to buy or sell a security; and are not warranted to be correct, complete or accurate. Morningstar, its affiliates, and third-party content providers are not responsible for any investment decisions, damages or losses resulting from, or related to, the data and analyses or their use. To the extent any content is general advice, it has been prepared for clients of Morningstar Australasia Pty Ltd (ABN: 95 090 665 544, AFSL: 240892), without reference to your financial objectives, situation or needs. For more information refer to our Financial Services Guide. You should consider the advice in light of these matters and if applicable, the relevant Product Disclosure Statement before making any decision to invest. Past performance does not necessarily indicate a financial product’s future performance. To obtain advice tailored to your situation, contact a professional financial adviser. Articles are current as at date of publication.
This website contains information and opinions provided by third parties. Inclusion of this information does not necessarily represent Morningstar’s positions, strategies or opinions and should not be considered an endorsement by Morningstar.