Welcome to the Baseline Business & Finance Wrap!
If you’re a business owner in Perth, this is your weekly no-fluff update on the numbers that matter:
📊 Markets – ASX, interest rates & commodity prices
🏡 Property – Perth house prices & rental trends
💰 Business Finance – Lending insights & smart money moves
🤣 Dad Jokes – Because finance shouldn’t be that serious
We’ll keep it short, sharp, and packed with value.
Markets
- It’s been another big week — and yes, Donny T’s back on the mic. Imagine taking his order at a restaurant: “I’ll have the steak. No wait, the chicken… actually, I’ll bring my own.”
- Markets are jumpy. Investors are hunting safety, and gold’s the headliner — smashing through US$3245/oz. UBS now tips US$3500 by 2026, and Goldman’s thrown out a wild-card scenario of US$4500 this year. The drivers? Central bank stockpiling, ETF inflows, and a growing exodus from US Treasuries as confidence in American stability falters.
- Iron ore? Softer, but holding better than expected amid all the trade war noise.
- The real fireworks? Rare earths. China’s tightening exports on critical components used in everything from EVs to defence tech. Australia’s role is growing, but still more warm-up act than main stage.
Property
- Listings have now dropped for three straight weeks. The most action packed areas this week? Scarborough and Perth in the north, Baldivis and Gosnells down South.
- No change in median house or unit values, but tighter supply could apply pressure soon.
- Meanwhile, first home buyers are the new political favourites:
> Labor: 100,000 new homes + expanded 5% deposit scheme.
>Coalition: Mortgage interest tax deductions — up to $60k over five years.
- Both policies boost demand. Supply? Still playing catch-up. Expect price pressure and rising debt levels.
Rates
- Short-term interest rates have come down sharply, flattening the yield curve and reinforcing market expectations of multiple rate cuts this year.
- For borrowers with BBSW-linked loans, that means marginally cheaper rates already flowing through.
- For everyone else, it’s a reminder to reassess lending arrangements. A review now could lock in better terms before the next shift.
Baseline Success Story of the Week
- Baseline was called upon to assist with the take out of some existing Vendor Finance.
- The client has a great solution, at good rates, that ticks all of their required boxes. Mission accomplished.
Bad/Dad Jokes of the Week
- Did you hear about the circus fire? It was in tents.
- I tried to fix my broken staircase—every step was an uphill struggle.
- Started working at a mirror factory—talk about self-reflection.
Need Help Navigating Finance? Let’s Chat.
Whether it’s commercial property finance, business lending, or investment strategy, I’m here to help you make the right move.
Let’s have a quick chat — call 08 6108 3925
Email – brad@baselinefin.com.au
Or just reply to this newsletter—I read every message.
Until next week.
Brad | Baseline Finance | www.baselinefin.com.au
