Australian Retail Sales Miss Estimates, Adding to Rate-Cut Case
Sales advanced 0.2%, up from a flat result in the prior month and compared with a forecast 0.5% increase, figures from the Australian Bureau of Statistics showed Wednesday. The data follow a series of reports that point to weakening economic momentum from easing price pressures to surprising job losses and cautious consumer sentiment, reinforcing the case for further rate cuts by the Reserve Bank.
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How (and Why) To Stay in the Market Even at All-Time Highs
One of the most famous mantras in the investment world is to 'buy low and sell high.' With the S&P 500 setting record after record in 2025 — and valuations reaching stratospheric levels — it might seem like buying now is the exact wrong thing to do. Read More: Find Out: But there are still compelling reasons to stay in the market, even at all-time highs. Here's why — and how you can do it. The Market Consistently Makes New 'All-Time' Highs Markets don't go up in a straight line, but history shows the S&P 500 has always gone on to make new highs, no matter how severe a bear market it endures. The fact that the index is at an all-time high as of July 2025 means that by definition, all of its past bad days and bad years are now in the rear-view mirror. Investors who have held on — or even added to their positions — during prior downturns have been handsomely rewarded with the highest price in the index's history. Discover More: Market Technicians Love New Highs Technical research interprets past trading patterns to predict future market movements. Many technicians view a new market high as a 'breakout,' indicating future upside to come. Numerous other factors can help support this prediction, such as rising trading volume and increasing market breadth, but in its most simplistic form, technical analysis usually views a fresh market high as an indication that prices will continue to go higher. Timing the Market Leads To Underperformance If you could always buy at the stock market's low and sell at its high, yes, you'd have a great trading record that would significantly outperform the overall market. But history, along with the shattered portfolios of numerous traders before you, shows that doing that consistently is all but impossible. A more likely scenario is that you emotionally panic and sell your positions when the market is crashing and then start investing again after the market has made significant gains — right before the next bear market. Another common scenario is that you fear the S&P 500 is 'overvalued' and you sell all your positions as the market goes higher and higher. Missing out on even a few of the best days in the market is enough to keep your portfolio in a perpetual state of underperformance, but it's a relatively common occurrence among those trying to time the market. What Can You Do? Investing at market highs is something of a double-edged sword. On the one hand, it's a great time to be invested in the S&P 500, because it means your portfolio should also be at all-time highs. However, it can also be a bit nerve-wracking because valuations are stretched to their limit, and the market is 'priced for perfection' — meaning everything has to continue doing well to support those lofty prices. As fear of losing money is generally greater for investors than the joy from profiting, it's natural to feel a bit queasy when market prices are high. For most long-term investors, the best strategy is to stay the course. By investing consistently, regardless of the S&P 500's current condition, you end up with an average price that smooths out the market's ups and downs. If the market continues to go higher, you'll keep profiting from your investments, even the ones you made at a 'high' price. If the market falls, your ongoing investments will pick up shares at lower prices, leading to even greater profits in the future. Many advisors recommend that investors increase their contributions while markets are falling so they can benefit even more from 'on-sale' share prices. While perhaps not a perfect system, consistent investing is a much better option than trying to time the market based on emotion and instinct. That has proven time and time again to be a losing game in the long run. More From GOBankingRates New Law Could Make Electricity Bills Skyrocket in These 4 States I'm a Self-Made Millionaire: 6 Ways I Use ChatGPT To Make a Lot of Money 5 Strategies High-Net-Worth Families Use To Build Generational Wealth Mark Cuban Says Trump's Executive Order To Lower Medication Costs Has a 'Real Shot' -- Here's Why This article originally appeared on How (and Why) To Stay in the Market Even at All-Time Highs
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The data shows that on almost every previous occasion, the benchmark index continued to climb during the coming 12 months, generating additional double-digit returns. Let's review the data and see what it says about the coming year. History suggests the S&P 500 will continue to climb over the next 12 months A brief primer might be in order to provide a suitable backdrop. The 20-day moving average is a widely used technical indicator that helps traders track the market's underlying short-term momentum. This measure is calculated by averaging the closing price of the market (or a given security) during the 20 previous trading days. This helps smooth out price fluctuations and helps to expose underlying trends. While this tool isn't typically used by long-term investors, it can provide valuable insight. To recap, the S&P 500 recently closed above its 20-day moving average for 68 consecutive days. 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This shows that the market performed well above average following these streaks. That said, investors would do well to remember the Wall Street proverb, "Past performance is no guarantee of future results." There's always the exception that proves the rule. However, understanding the data can help investors make informed decisions based on historical context. The fly in the ointment Given the historic volatility investors have experienced so far this year and the elevated uncertainty that remains, it's easy to understand why investors might have difficulty believing the market can achieve additional double-digit gains over the coming 12 months. After all, the ongoing tariff negotiations are far from settled, and the battle to rein in inflation continues. Furthermore, there's contradictory evidence, at least thus far, about the impact of tariffs on the broader economy. 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Having a set investing schedule and adding to your portfolio at regular intervals takes much of the guesswork out of the process and offers the best path to prosperity. It also helps instill the discipline necessary to succeed over the long term, regardless of the market's short-term movements. History is clear: The stock market has generated average returns of 10% annually going back 50 years. That's why having a long-term mindset is one of the keys to investing success. Should you invest $1,000 in S&P 500 Index right now? Before you buy stock in S&P 500 Index, consider this: The Motley Fool Stock Advisor analyst team just identified what they believe are the for investors to buy now… and S&P 500 Index wasn't one of them. The 10 stocks that made the cut could produce monster returns in the coming years. Consider when Netflix made this list on December 17, 2004... if you invested $1,000 at the time of our recommendation, you'd have $668,155!* Or when Nvidia made this list on April 15, 2005... if you invested $1,000 at the time of our recommendation, you'd have $1,106,071!* Now, it's worth noting Stock Advisor's total average return is 1,070% — a market-crushing outperformance compared to 184% for the S&P 500. Don't miss out on the latest top 10 list, available when you join Stock Advisor. See the 10 stocks » *Stock Advisor returns as of August 13, 2025 Danny Vena has no position in any of the stocks mentioned. The Motley Fool has no position in any of the stocks mentioned. The Motley Fool has a disclosure policy. The Stock Market Just Did Something for the 9th Time Since 1957. History Says It Signals a Big Move in the S&P 500 Within the Next Year. was originally published by The Motley Fool
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8 hours ago
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Microsoft Dynamics 365 Finance and Operations License Optimisation Service Delivering Up to 50 Percent Cost Reduction While Strengthening Enterprise Securite
Brisbane-based DSS has launched an enhanced Microsoft Dynamics 365 Finance & Operations (F&O) License Optimisation Service, designed to reduce licensing costs by up to 50% while bolstering enterprise security. BRISBANE, AUSTRALIA / ACCESS Newswire / August 16, 2025 / Dynamics Security Solutions Pty Ltd (DSS), a specialist Microsoft Dynamics 365 Finance and Operations and Dynamics AX consultancy, today announced significant enhancements to their demonstrated license cost optimization service alongside expanded security auditing capabilities. The comprehensive solution addresses two critical pain points plaguing large enterprises: excessive Microsoft D365 F&O licensing costs and inadequate security governance. After spending the better part of two decades in corporate finance and systems management - from multinational operations to enterprise-scale implementations - I've witnessed first-hand how organisations consistently overpay for software licenses whilst simultaneously creating security vulnerabilities. What started as a personal mission to help businesses operate more efficiently has evolved into a systematic approach that's delivering impressive outcomes across industries. 'It's really a straightforward decision,' says Paul Belan, co-founder of DSS. 'We're seeing companies throw tens of thousands to hundreds of thousands of dollars annually at licenses they simply don't need, whilst unknowingly exposing themselves to serious security risks. The irony is that fixing both problems simultaneously is far more straightforward than most executives realise.' The Problem: Hidden Costs and Overlooked Risks DSS research indicates that up to 80% of large enterprises running Microsoft Dynamics 365 Finance and Operations or older Dynamics AX versions are overspending on user licenses by 20-50%. The culprit? Bloated role assignments, dormant accounts, and a fundamental misunderstanding of how Microsoft's licensing structure actually works. 'What we consistently find - and this genuinely surprised me early on - is that most organizations assign users to premium roles as a 'just in case' measure,' Belan explains. 'A finance manager gets full system access when they really only need accounts payable functionality. It's like buying a Formula 1 car for the school run.' Compounding this waste is the security risk. Excessive permissions don't just cost more - they create potential pathways for deception, data breaches, and compliance failures. The DSS Solution: Precision Without Compromise DSS has developed a four-tier service framework that tackles both cost optimization and security enhancement: Tailored User License Cost Reduction Service The cornerstone offering conducts a comprehensive role analysis to eliminate unnecessary high-tier licenses. Working exclusively in non-production environments initially, DSS maps actual user requirements against assigned permissions, then redesigns role structures to reflect genuine business needs. Dormant User Account & License Audit This complementary service identifies inactive accounts that continue incurring annual licensing fees - often overlooked during standard reviews. DSS provides recommendations for improved user lifecycle management moving forward. Role Extension Pack Purpose-built custom security roles targeting specific modules or responsibilities without overprovisioning. These include management access roles for senior staff, view-only roles for auditors and consultants, and workflow administrator roles for issue resolution. Security Health Check An in-depth audit identifying vulnerabilities, control gaps, and deception exposure, complete with actionable security improvement roadmaps and ongoing monitoring frameworks. Safe and Secure Implementation What sets DSS apart is their unique assurance structure. 'We don't get paid unless we deliver measurable savings,' Belan states. 'And we never touch production data relating to master or transactional data. Updates are completed without disrupting any business operations. It's all about proving value before asking for investment.' The DSS methodology ensures: Demonstrated Results Across Industries Early adopters report: 'The outcomes are self-evident,' notes Belan. 'From retail chains to not-for-profit organizations, we're consistently delivering substantial savings whilst simultaneously strengthening security frameworks. It's the kind of outcome that makes finance directors smile and IT managers sleep better.' About Dynamics Security Solutions Co-founded by Paul Belan, a veteran of corporate finance and enterprise systems management with executive education from Columbia University, DSS specialises in Microsoft Dynamics 365 Finance and Operations optimization, as well as supporting older versions of Dynamics AX. Based in Brisbane, Australia, the company serves large enterprises globally, focusing on cost reduction and security enhancement without operational risk. DSS's unique approach combines deep technical expertise with real-world business exposure, developed through decades of multinational enterprise experience. The company's mission centres on helping organizations operate more efficiently whilst maintaining the highest security standards. Availability and Next Steps The DSS license optimization and security enhancement service is available immediately for organizations running Microsoft Dynamics 365 Finance and Operations or older versions of Dynamics AX. Initial consultations are provided at no cost, with detailed savings projections delivered within 48 hours of security configuration review. 'Instead of guessing, you can be certain,' concludes Belan. 'Every organization deserves to understand exactly what they're paying for and whether they're adequately protected. We make that crystal clear.' Media Contact Organization: Dynamics Security Solutions Pty Ltd Contact Person Name: Pavel Belan Website: Email: [email protected] City: Brisbane Country: Australia SOURCE: Dynamics Security Solutions Pty Ltd press release
