Simplicity

What do the new US tarrifs mean for New Zealand? Join our live webinar today with a Q&A from our Chief Economist Shamubeel Eaqub and Chief Investment Officer Andrew Lance who will discuss what’s happening, how markets are responding, and how to think about your long-term investments during uncertain times like these. ✅ When: Today Monday 7th April 12-1pm ✅ Where: Online via Zoom (if you are a member you would've received a link) or live on our YouTube channel here: https://lnkd.in/g6TM85Wh See you then.

Can you spot the difference? A lot can happen in a few months at our Simplicity Living sites. This is Reiputa - Simplicity Living's 297-apartment development in Mt Wellington, Auckland. Since late 2024, three floors have now been added to each building, and the foundation for a fourth is in place. Things are moving fast - the construction team are moving quickly and efficiently. Because Simplicity Living both owns and operates each development, more of the value created flows directly back to its shareholders. And with Simplicity Living being 100% owned by Simplicity KiwiSaver and Investment Funds schemes, this means it's our Simplicity members that benefit. A win-win when it comes to building more much-needed quality rental homes, and good risk-adjusted investment returns! Photo 1: aerial shot from November 2025. Photo 2: aerial shot from early March 2025. Learn more: https://lnkd.in/gzsh8K8J

The Economy Made Simple podcast is here, with our very first episode now live! Join Shamubeel Eaqub, Simplicity's Chief Economist, on a monthly basis to help you understand what's happening in the economy, job market, politics and financial markets. Tune in to get economic updates, interviews with NZ's key movers and shakers, and deep dives into topics you might want to understand better. In this episode, Shamubeel delves into the current state of financial markets, the broader economy, and the impact of global volatility on the local environment. This episode offers a "State of the Nation" perspective, perfect for those who would like to gain a deeper understanding of the dynamics of the economy. Head to Spotify, Apple or YouTube for the full audio or video versions, or click here to listen now: https://lnkd.in/gHhbk8gE

USA 'liberation day' tariffs have been announced. Which may or may not be changed/reversed to use as negotiating chips. Back of the envelope, it adds up to 26.5% increase in US import costs [left chart]. It would be the highest since the early 1900s. The headlines: 10% on all imports (including NZ), 34% additional tariffs on China (apparently on top of existing 20%), 20% on Europe, etc. Its a long list. If implemented fully, it will cause quite a big increase in prices: costs for business (inputs) and consumers (imported finished goods). And reduce spending in the US. Which will affect demand for exports from countires like NZ, and the countries we trade with. The impact on NZ is in 3 key ways: 1. Direct - affecting highly exposed exports (like meat, wine and medical instruments) 2. Indirect - countries we trade with - such as China and Europe - get hit economically, and we get hit in turn (second hand effects if you will() 3. Financial markets - equity markets are volatile, as they try to digest this news. The general view is that it will be bad for the economy, and thus markets. The right chart shows NZ's big export segments that are highly exposed to USA. That is they are both large in revenue (I picked over $50m in 2024) and high exposure to USA. Four that are easy to grasp: - Meat: $2.6b (30% to USA) - Wine $0.7b (30%) - Medical instruments: $0.3b (32%) - Pharmaceuticals: $0.1b (20%) Tariffs will increase the price of US imports (quite a lot) and reduce spending (but not immediately, because prices take a while to work through). What can we do? Some ideas: - Our trade negotiators and political leaders will need to engage with American counterparts to see what they can do. Perhaps more importantly, increase dialogue with other likeminded countries to create deeper economic ties with even fewer barriers. - Exporters need to think carefully about how much price reduction they can absorb to maintain market share in the US. But that may be a short term startegy. They need to think about how to export in a fundamentally changed world, and which markets we may look to. Easier might be to focus on what we can do here in New Zealand and our own businesses to reduce costs and increase resilience - all businesses will need it. - For people like you and me, it can feel paralysing to see so much new, uncertain and bad news all in one go. Especially when KiwiSaver balances are also being hit. But we do not have much control over these global events or market movements. For retirement savings, its really important to make sure you are in the right kind of fund for your personal situation. And the old adage applies even in these times: time in the market matters more than timing the market. Historically, there have been more good years than bad. Keep calm, keep contributing, and look out for each other. When the world feels crazy, the best comforts are in our family, friends and community.

Simplicity chief economist Shamubeel Eaqub talks to @NewstalkZB's Andrew Dickens about capital requirements for banks and whether they can afford to pass on some potential savings to borrowers. https://lnkd.in/gUWMNWEx

The purrfect addition to our Kiwiana art collection at HQ. 😻 “Love Cat” by cool cat arts duo Weston Frizzell was purchased in support of Cure Kids as part of the Bayleys Real Estate charity art auction. The Simplicity Foundation has supported more than 160 local charities since 2016 and distributed more than $10 million. All made possible by our loyal Simplicity members who fund our Foundation with 15% of their fees. It’s a beautiful thing, especially the impact. 🎯 #philanthropy #kiwisaver #charityauction #kiwiart

Another amazing milestone to celebrate today! 🎺 The Simplicity Foundation broke through $10 million in donations. 💲 15% of all fees go to the Foundation in support of local charities. 🧡 We couldn't do this without our ever-expanding membership who is driving our growth through word of mouth because they love what we do. Thank you%) You can read more about our Foundation's good news and the charities we have supported the most on the link below. https://lnkd.in/gi3CAV7C

How not to lose your cool as an investor. Tune into our latest webinar tomorrow from 1-2 pm and listen to what rockstar economist Shamubeel Eaqub and our wise CIO Andrew Lance have to say about these mind-bending times. Check your member email for details or follow on YouTube. 👇 https://lnkd.in/g6TM85Wh If you can't catch it, the event will be recorded.

A win-win all around! And great news during these turbulent times for investors. Well done Tom Miller and Matt! Check out our Private Capital story here. https://lnkd.in/eZpaB8BK

Kiwi ingenuity at its best. Big ups to aged-care food manufacturer The Pure Food Co and founder @SamBridgeway on signing a landmark Australian deal that secures its largest client globally. This expansion will effectively nourish 7,000 aged-care residents with as many as 50,000 easy to eat high nutrition meals a month. Simplicity is a proud investor as part of its Private Equity portfolio. https://lnkd.in/gVzxidnE