Distinguish a tactical view from a strategic one
Financial advisers need to “distinguish between a tactical view and a strategic one” in order to successfully manage investment portfolios, according to Victor Rodriguez, head of Australian fixed income at Aberdeen Asset Management. “The strategic view pertains to the very fundamentals of the asset class and when you’re thinking strategically, you’re allowing for all kinds
March 17, 2011
Making property fit the portfolio puzzle
Residential property is a lumpy asset class, and not one that always fits comfortably into the portfolio construction process Greville Pabst looks at how including property can be made simpler. Residential property has captured the hearts of many Australians as the ideal investment
March 01, 2011
Imagine a life without forecasts
Forecasts are the most unreliable guide to market returns, except for all the others I update my forecasts every day, even though I know they are going to be wrong Now you can see the problem with market forecasting
March 01, 2011
Do it right if you do it yourself
Too many investors who set out to do it themselves end up doing not very much at all. David Wright explains. In many ways, the name self-managed superannuation fund – or SMSF, as they are often referred to – is a misnomer, because a massive number of this fast-growing superannuation segment are not managed at
March 01, 2011
Harnessing the growth in giving
Krystine Lumanta reports on how planners are turning to Private Ancillary Funds (PAFs) to help clients meet their philanthropic goals. The profile of philanthropy is increasing in Australia, with approximately 800 private ancillary funds (PAFs) and their forerunners collectively distributing $447 million since 2000, according to research conducted by The Australian Centre for Philanthropy and
March 01, 2011
Labradors love financial planning
From a reference point of view, we use four animals to describe clients’ money preferences: owl, monkey, labrador and dolphin. You could argue the traditional financial plan is a near perfect fit for labradors My wife is a labrador, and very different from me
March 01, 2011
Do your homework on ETFs
The surge of interest in exchange traded funds shows no signs of abating Not all ETFs are alike After a slow start in Australia, exchange-traded funds (ETFs) have taken off in the past couple of years For traditional buyers of managed funds, ETFs are appealing
March 01, 2011
Oils really ain’t oils
As the 2011 trading year truly kicks into gear, it is becoming clear that markets for all asset classes are being driven to various degrees by a range of macro forces.
February 24, 2011
Planners urged to consider Challenger offer carefully
Challenger Managed Investments’ proposal to buy back the units in the Challenger High Yield Fund has raised the ire of financial planners who believe the offer undervalues investors’ stake in the fund. Planners with clients in the High Yield Fund have been urged to consider the proposal carefully before voting, to make sure they are
February 18, 2011
“It’s about time”: The move to after-tax investing
Changes recommended by the Cooper review to the Superannuation Industry Supervision (SIS) Act 1993 will accelerate the trend to after-tax investing and according to Raewyn Williams, “it’s about time”.
February 10, 2011
Countdown to lift-off
Strong returns from commercial property are coming. Frank Gelber says now is the time to lay the foundations. I’m not looking for anything spectacular in the commercial property markets this year. That comes later. This is the time to get set. This year will be solid rather than spectacular. This is when we return to
February 01, 2011
Around the world – what to expect in 2011
Being well diversified and taking a flexible approach to asset allocation will be the key to successful investing in 2011, according to Fidelity Investment Managers. A key theme for the year will be the decoupling of emerging markets from the developed world, and the outlook is bullish for emerging market equities and commodities. Fidelity’s global
January 24, 2011
