CEO INSIGHTS – Week Ending 21 June 2019 By NAOS Asset Management

Domestic Agriculture

“Processors have come into the market with strong milk price signals for the 2019/20 season, and while this has started to drive that lift in farmer sentiment, it has been somewhat muted by the elevated input cost environment for feed and water.” Peter Knoblanche, CEO, Rabobank

"We expect sheep prices to remain at current high levels due to high demand." Mark Allison, CEO, Elders

Cryptocurrency

“We aspire to make it easy for everyone to send and receive money just like you use our apps to instantly share messages and photos.” Mark Zuckerberg, CEP, Facebook [Regarding Facebook’s creation of a new currency called Libra]

Finance

“We think that mid-market, from just after early-stage through to high-growth, is where the sweet spot is for us to support them [Emerging technology-based business].” Anthony Healy, Chief Customer Officer, NAB

Global Economy

"[The Trade wars] are not that big of a game to throw us into recession." Steve Schwarzmen, CEO, Blackstone

Wealth Management

"We have seen greater activity, yes. Things were slower and patchier before the election than they were after the election; it appears the stability in government might be driving some confidence.” Andrew Alcock, CEO, HUB24

“We know that with low rates across the market many investors — especially SMSFs — are reviewing their cash allocation and looking to reliable yield investments.” Paul Watson, Group Executive, Hostplus [Industry super fund]

Australian Economy

"I believe that Australia should spend 3-4 per cent of GDP on R&D rather than the 2 per cent we do now, given how unsophisticated our economy is [we rank 77th in the Harvard Economic Complexity Index)." Matt Barrie, CEO, Freelancer Ltd

“We are naturally a very entrepreneurial country. I think what we just need to learn what to do is tap into it. I think one of our challenges as a country is how do we finance and reward the longer-term view?” Christine Holgate, CEO, Australia Post

Retail

“Time-poor customers increasingly demand solutions to feed their families easily without compromising on quality, value or nutrition." Steven Cain, CEO, Coles Group Ltd

“I do see the next five years in the grocery sector as the most competitive that we will ever see. The combination of existing players getting better, new players coming to town and consumers fragmenting means there is quite a challenge out there to maintain market share and grow profitability.” Steven Cain, CEO, Coles

“There has been no notable lift in consumer sentiment after the May federal election, though the onset of colder weather has been the welcome boost for sales.” Rob Scott, MD, Wesfarmers

Medical

"Collectively we're paying about half-a-billion dollars a year more than we should for prescription medicines." Jennifer Doggett, Chair, Australian Health Care Reform Alliance.

Property

"While we have seen a general improvement in interest and enthusiasm in the market, we are yet to see this translate to an increase in listings." Geoff Lucas, CEO, McGrath Estate Agents

Automotive

"I think the industry is going to be under a reckoning over the next 2 to 3 years. My view is that yes, electrification is going to grow over the years, but it's not going to grow to the extent all the experts are telling you." Mark Fields, Former CEO, Ford Motor Company

Tourism

"The Company believes the trading conditions have been impacted by slower growth in inbound international tourism and a subdued overall domestic travel market due to the uncertainty surrounding the May 2019 Federal election." Market Announcement, Sealink Group

Fuel

"The industry continues to experience difficult macro-economic conditions, arising from the slowing Australian economy, low refining margins and high crude prices combined with a low FX rate." Market Statement, Caltex