Tariffs, Trump, North Korea and other global political risks in the Year of the Dog

Tariffs, Trump, North Korea and other global political risks in the Year of the Dog Key points Geopolitical issues generate much interest as dinner party conversations but don’t necessarily have a significant impact on markets, apart from a bit of noise. But given a backlash against economic rationalist policies, the falling relative power of the US & the ability of social media to allow us to make our own reality, geopolitical risks are higher than they used to be. Key …

Why we’re thinking about yield all wrong

Why we’re thinking about yield all wrong No doubt about it, institutions will have an edge over the Average Joe or weekend warrior when it comes to information and investment insights; financial institutions employ the best and brightest and draw on research garnered from all over the world using tools out of the reach of most of us individually. But there are times when it makes sense for individual investors to play to their strengths …

Volatility could present buying opportunities in 2018

Volatility could present buying opportunities in 2018 Volatility and the first meaningful lift in inflation coming from the United States will likely be the main differentiating features in global financial markets in 2018 compared to this year, according to Dr Shane Oliver, AMP Capital’s Head of Investment Strategy and Chief Economist. The dips in share markets experts anticipated in 2017 are more likely to materialise in the new year, Oliver notes. But with global growth …

What a banking Royal Commission means for investors and superannuants

13 December 2017 What a banking Royal Commission means for investors and superannuants A dip in the value of listed financial stocks including Australia’s Big Four banks the day the federal government announced a Royal Commission into the banking, superannuation and financial services industry, could be a sign of things to come for shareholders in the country’s most widely held institutions. The long heralded Royal Commission into the banking industry could have the effect of …

4 steps to help protect portfolios against political risk

08 November 2017 4 steps to help protect portfolios against political risk When Australia’s High Court ruled deputy prime minister Barnaby Joyce ineligible to sit in Parliament because of his dual New Zealand citizenship, the decision briefly sent tremors through equity and currency markets. It was a clear reminder that political risk matters to markets. We face troubling political and geopolitical risk across the world: Trump, Brexit and, above all, the risk of nuclear confrontation …

Diversified funds’ performance – how did they do that?

Diversified funds’ performance – how did they do that? 12 July 2017 Comparing managed funds can be confusing because, contrary to current practices, evaluating performance is not all about returns – it’s also about how much risk you as the end investor took to get there. So how can you measure your fund’s level of risk? Below are four broad indicators to watch for: Exposure to growth assets – this is the most common method of …

How to manage volatility in a low return world

  How to manage volatility in a low return world Responding to changing market conditions while keeping abreast of a strategy is a delicate balance. However, it’s an important skill to develop if you wish to successfully invest using a dynamic asset allocation approach. In this article, we discuss how market volatility is different to investment risk, and how you can manage your investments during market volatility while sustaining minimal long-term losses. We all know …

4 Wise Quotes About Investing Money Explained

4 Wise Quotes About Investing Money Explained Investing money in the financial market is similar to surfing in an ocean. Hidden beneath the seemingly innocent ocean waters are sharks that can rip you apart in case you come near their territory. In the investment market, you are the surfer while the sharks are bad investments that can gobble up your precious savings within a matter of seconds. But you can save yourself from bad investments …