The recently released ASX Australian Investor Study 2023 confirms what many of us know; Australia is a nation of investors with 10.2 million (51%) of the adult population holding investments outside their home and super. When it comes to how investments are accessed and held, 7.7 million or 75% of those investors choose on-exchange investments like shares.
Furthermore, the ATO SMSF quarterly statistical report March 2023, tell us that of the $855 billion SMSF sector, a combination of $261 billion in listed shares and $56 billion in listed trusts accounts for approximately 37% of SMSFs portfolio holdings, followed by cash/term deposits at approximately 16%. The changing dynamic here is the value and proportion of on-exchange investments is growing and cash/term deposits is decreasing when compared with pre-pandemic holdings where, listed shares and trusts accounted for 29% and cash/term deposits held 23% of a $640 billion sector. (Refer to the excel spreadsheet available at the above link Mar23 & Mar20).
So, are more of us using a stockbroker to access investments?
Sometimes when I ask this question, the response is, ‘No I don’t, I do it myself online’.
While technically the correct answer is that you are using an online stockbroker; one that is ultimately connected to a stock exchange, in reality, investors using an online broking service may be doing most of the work; selecting investments and making buy/sell decisions.
With around 70% of investors using an online service to trade on-exchange investments (ASX Australian Investor Study 2023 p19), it becomes important for those investors to ensure they are maximising the benefits that online platforms can offer.
To help talk this through, I got in touch with Arnie Selvarajah, CEO at Bell Direct, part of the ASX listed Bell Financial Group, (ASX: BFG) which provides not only full service and online stockbroking services, but a whole lot more. Here is what we talked about.
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Disclaimer: The information contained in this document is provided for educational purposes only, is general in nature and is prepared without taking into account particular objective, financial circumstances, legal and tax issues and needs. The information provided in this article is not a substitute for legal, tax and financial product advice. Before making any decision based on this information, you should assess its relevance to your individual circumstances. While SMSF Association believes that the information provided in this article is accurate, no warranty is given as to its accuracy and persons who rely on this information do so at their own risk. The information provided in this bulletin is not considered financial product advice for the purposes of the Corporations Act 2001.
This is general information only and is not intended to provide you with financial advice and has been prepared without taking into account your objectives, financial situation or needs. The Trust Company (RE Services) Limited (ACN 003 278 831) (AFSL 235150) is the Responsible Entity and issuer of units in the Qualitas Real Estate Income Fund (ARSN 627 917 971) (“Trust” or “Fund”). QRI Manager Pty Ltd (ACN 625 857 070) (AFS Representative 1266996 as authorised representative of Qualitas Securities Pty Ltd (ACN 136 451 128) (AFSL 342242) is the investment manager of the Fund. Prior to making a decision about whether to acquire, hold or dispose of units in the Fund you should consider the Product Disclosure Statement (PDS) and target market determination (TMD) for the Fund to see if it is right for you. The Fund’s PDS and TMD is available at www.qualitas.com.au/qri. Past performance is not a reliable indicator of future performance.
Ian Irvine - Guest Contributor
Ian has been a keen investor for over 40 years and can draw on his experiences from both investing on his own behalf and also having worked in financial services for more than 30 years. Over this time, he has seen many changes that impact investors’ attitudes to in what and how they invest.
He started his career in what is now referred to as fast moving consumer goods (FMCG) or grocery, working for an Australian margarine manufacturer. In 1986, he was recruited to Westpac around the time of deregulation of the sector, where he spent 10 years before taking a role at AMP and then with ASX for 14 years up to the end of 2017. He continues to be involved with ASX; working on their educational programs.
In 1996, he and his wife established their own SMSF and again the experience and lessons learned regarding managing an SMSF over the years have provided him with many insights and ideas. He enjoys sharing these with others where these are helpful and always suggest that if an investor or SMSF trustee is unsure, that they should seek appropriate advice from a licenced professional.
Ian holds a B. Com (UNSW), and lives in Sydney and enjoys travelling to and meeting investors and SMSF trustee at the educational events with which he has involvement with from time to time.