What style of investor are you? Conservative, risk taker or somewhere in between? Understanding what style of investor you are may help you to reach your financial goals. By now, you’ve probably developed a pretty good sense of your personal style. If blue chinos and polos are your thing, then it’s unlikely you’ll want a pair of hot orange flares. And if those flares take your fancy, then you’re probably unlikely to choose a white …
Trade war risks are escalating – but a negotiated solution remains most likely Key Points US actions in recent weeks have increased the risk of a full-blown trade war – primarily between the US and China – with a more significant economic impact. So far the bulk of the tariffs are just proposed so there is still room for a negotiated solution (which remains our base case with a 55% probability). But there is now …
The many risks of gearing If you are you borrowing money to invest, or considering it, it’s important to ensure you aware of the many risks involved. Gearing, or borrowing money to invest, can be a great way to grow your wealth, but it isn’t for everyone. The aim is to borrow money at a lower rate of interest than the return you will earn by investing that borrowed money – to make a profit. …
How can I decide what level of risk is right for me? (Video) Brian May CFP® Brian May is a financial planning and wealth management specialist, with over 20 years’ experience in financial services and international merchant and investment banking. As part of the Financial Planning Association’s Ask A Planner video series, Brian May CFP® answers the commonly asked question, “How can I decide what level of risk is right for me?” If you have …
An additional 21 great investment quotes Introduction Investing can be frustrating and depressing at times, particularly if you don’t understand how markets work and don’t have the right mindset. The good news is that the basics of investing are timeless, and some have a knack of encapsulating these in a sentence or two that is both insightful and easy to understand. In recent years I’ve written insights highlighting investment quotes that I find particularly useful. …
Accountant or Planner – which do I need? When it comes to sorting out money matters, where do you go to seek professional help? Can an accountant take care of your finances or should you be speaking to a financial planner? Discover more about the difference between these two support services and how you can benefit from both. Seeing an accountant is something that’s routine for most Australians. After all, lodging a tax return is …
Life cover – do you even have it? If you have family, dependents or debt, life insurance might be important, but one in four Aussies don’t know whether they have it. If you die and your life is insured, your beneficiaries receive a lump sum pay-out. This money can be the difference between the people who matter most to you enjoying a decent lifestyle or facing a financial struggle, yet one in four Australians aren’t …
Where are we in the unlisted commercial property cycle? Key points Australian unlisted commercial property returns have been very strong this decade thanks largely to the “search for attractive yield” by investors. This return driver is expected to start to fade but rising rents, particularly in the south-east office markets, will provide an offset keeping returns solid for now. Commercial property yields still offer a strong premium relative to bonds suggesting we are a long …
Why passive investing now won’t deliver all your goals Passive investment funds used to be a relatively obscure part of the market. But with their popularity soaring in recent years, many investors might now be sceptical about paying for active investment. Market performance over recent years would reinforce that scepticism. Holding a passive mix of mainstream assets has performed very well over the last 5 years. For example, an investor who suffers a permanent 25% …
Spread your money, reduce risk Six out of ten Australians own investments outside of the family home and super. That’s good news. The only problem is that many people are still putting all their eggs in one, or just a few, baskets. The latest investor study by the Australian Securities Exchange (ASX) found 40% of investors admit they don’t have a diversified portfolio. Almost one in two investors think their portfolio is diverse, yet …
