Content provided by Thinktank Written by Per Amundsen, Head of Research, Thinktank It’s a well-worn saying, “the devil is in the detail”. Only, in this instance, when it comes to the ATO’s self-managed super funds (SMSFs) statistics, the angel is in the detail. That’s the only conclusion that can be drawn from the regulator’s latest…
Issue 34: Half-year review and what may lay ahead
You do not need me to tell you that financial markets are experiencing ‘interesting times’. From what appeared as a full-on recovery in the economy and positive outcomes for investors late last year and early into the calendar year, we are hearing talk of bear markets and even a possible recession. And of course, those…
Australian Persistence Scorecard – Can Active Funds Persistently Outperform?
Content provided by S&P Dow Jones Indices While comparing active funds against their respective benchmark indices is a typical practice to evaluate their performance, persistence is an additional test that can reveal fund managers’ skills in different market environments. We measure the performance persistence of active funds that outperformed their peers and benchmarks over consecutive…
There’s still life in retail
Content provided by Thinktank Written by Per Amundsen, Head of Research, Thinktank It was December 2021, after nearly two years of lockdown, that the Thinktank Monthly Report struck a slightly more optimistic note about the retail property sector. To quote: “Retail continues to be showing initial signs of recovery and indications of a turnaround as…
1 July 2022 and superannuation contribution changes
Several key super changes which may impact your ability to contribute to your SMSF, are set to take effect from 1 July 2022. These changes create opportunities for all SMSF members, young and old, to grow their retirement savings. What are the changes? Originally announced in the 2021 Federal Budget, the following changes apply from 1…
Investing during extreme uncertainty
Written by Paul Miron, Managing Director, Msquared Capital As we return to work after a Federal Election and the appointment of a new government, there still seems to be no end in sight regarding the war in Ukraine…not to mention an energy crisis, world food shortages, supply chain issues…COVID-19…and rising costs of living, with persistent high…
Issue 33: Rising interest rates – one coin, two sides
‘Following the RBA’s decision to raise interest rates yesterday, we will be applying the full increase to all of our deposit and savings accounts immediately’, said no bank ever! And it probably will be sometime, if not decades before this becomes a true statement. Much, if not most of the commentary following the first rise…
How gold ETFs keep fees and costs low
Content provided by The Perth Mint As with all managed funds, gold ETFs incur costs and fees charged to their investors to cover the expenses of operating the product on a regulated exchange. Unlike most other ETF products, which tend to have some cash in them as part of the portfolio of assets owned on…
Bringing ESG Considerations to Australian Strategies
Content provided by S&P Dow Jones Indices This paper will demonstrate the potential improvements in environmental, social and governance (ESG) characteristics that are reflected in ESG benchmarks versus traditional market-capitalization-weighted benchmarks in a hypothetical group of Australian equities. We explore how various sustainability-focused indices might provide improved ESG characteristics, while maintaining comparable sectoral and country…
International Investing Webinar – Why beaten- up sectors are an interesting playground
Content provided by Forager Funds In the May International Shares Fund webinar, Forager’s Steve Johnson, Chloe Stokes and Harvey Migotti discuss a range of topics, including: The latest developments in global share markets; Fund performance and what’s new for the portfolio; and What beaten up sectors and stocks we’ve been keeping an eye on. Content…