Differences in the returns of various super funds have primarily been driven by whether the funds are invested in unlisted or listed assets. Super fund returns are always in the spotlight around the end of the financial year. This is when funds publish their annual performance results and send statements to members, and when researchers … Read more
Key takeaways An understanding of the benefits of fixing your home loan, including payment stability, protection from rate hikes and certainty over long term financial planning. The potential drawbacks to consider when choosing to fix, such as missing out on rate drops, higher initial repayment rates and restrictions on the level of additional repayments. When … Read more
Introduction At the start of this year, we thought shares would have reasonable returns albeit it wouldn’t be smooth sailing given ongoing issues around inflation, interest rates, the risk of recession and geopolitics. So far so good. This note updates seven key charts we see as critical for the investment outlook. Chart 1 – global … Read more
Introduction At the start of this year, we thought shares would have reasonable returns albeit it wouldn’t be smooth sailing given ongoing issues around inflation, interest rates, the risk of recession and geopolitics. So far so good. This note updates seven key charts we see as critical for the investment outlook. Chart 1 – global … Read more
Global markets are made up of dozens of asset classes and millions of individual securities, making it challenging to understand what really matters for your portfolio. But there are a few important drivers that can help explain returns across asset classes – these are known as Factors. Factor investing, also commonly called “smart beta” has … Read more
October was another difficult month for financial markets, partly reflecting an acceptance among investors that interest rates are likely to remain high for longer than was previously anticipated. Geopolitical risk ramped up too, following conflict in Israel and Palestine. Australian shares were down nearly 4% over the month and overseas stock markets closed lower too, … Read more
Term deposits offer certainty and savings accounts offer flexibility. Here are some other common features and benefits of each. Putting your money into a savings account, or in the alternative, a term deposit, are two common methods of saving. Working out whether either of these options are right for you depends on your personal and … Read more
There are a number of considerations when it comes to gearing, the investment assets you may choose to gear and the way you structure your debt. A gearing strategy can be set at three levels: Positive gearing – where income from the investment exceeds the interest payable on the loan. Neutral gearing – where income … Read more
Investing is full of jargon and technical terms that can make getting started or managing your investments seem intimidating. Here are some of the key terms to help you better understand the different options available to you. Common investing terms There are a few terms that you’ll see repeated when we’re talking about investing. Bonds … Read more
Some recent questions on Australian inflation Key points The Australian inflation rate peaked in the December quarter but has been slower to decline than some global peers. While interest rate rises are helping to reduce inflation (especially as discretionary consumer spending slows), rises in domestic energy prices, a tight rental market and a lagged pick … Read more