Issue 28: Understanding investment product structures (Part 4): Fixed income and alternatives

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Issue 28: Understanding investment product structures (Part 4): Fixed income and alternatives

Over the last three months we have taken a look at investment product structures and how a range of assets classes fit within these, starting at a high level in September with ‘Understanding investment product structures’, in October, which dealt with equities in Part 2, and last month we looked at property assets.

This month in the final of our series, we’ll look at fixed income and alternatives.

Why these two together; is it because they are similar? Quite the opposite each is very different from the other.

What they do have in common is that they are not well known to many Australian investors or used widely within investment portfolios of SMSFs, with possibly one exception: term deposits, which are a form of fixed income.

Over recent years access to both fixed income and alternatives has become easier for retail investors. Previously, access may have been difficult due to the amounts of capital required or in the case of alternatives, being limited to wholesale or sophisticated investors with access to ‘private markets’.

So, let’s take a look at these two asset classes and see which are available under which product structures.

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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.

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.