Wednesday, 18 September 2019

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Daniel Foggo on why P2P lending is not what you think

Marketplace or P2P lending has come a long way in Australia in the last five years. Most investors will be surprised by the type of borrowers and purposes of the loans, and how they are priced.

Most investors are wrong on dividend yield as income

The current yield on a share or trust is simply the latest dividend divided by the current share price, an abstract number at a point in time. What really matters is the income delivered in the long run.

The top six checklist: is my SMSF on track and compliant?

With increasing scrutiny on SMSFs, it's worth checking yours is on track. Issues include establishing, investing, obligations, compliance, paying benefits and preparing for an eventual exit.

The merits of holding some cash in US$

Investors are looking overseas for investments more than ever, but most do not hold some of their cash in US$. It gives exposure to the world's leading economy, perhaps at a higher rate.

Managing LIC discounts and premiums

Many Listed Investment Companies, or LICs, have developed persistent discounts to NTA in their share prices, and buyback programmes are struggling to have much impact. See also the latest update on new issues in the LIC space.

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How the S-curve helps to find winners and losers

The key to investment success is identifying the winners from the structural growth tailwinds, regardless of the macro-environment. Here are examples of likely winners and strugglers.

Central banks risk losing their feted ‘independence’

Central bank independence was an appropriate solution when inflation was a threat. In today’s low-inflation, low-growth and high-debt world, even central banks doubt their level of influence.  

Has FoFA become the Failure of Financial Advice?

In solving problems relating to conflicts and best interest duties, comprehensive financial advice has become so expensive that it will be increasingly confined to the wealthy. Is that what we want?  

CFSGAM rebrands to First Sentier Investors

First Sentier Investors is the new name for Colonial First State Global Asset Management, completing the separation from CBA. It's the end of an era for the business Chris Cuffe led for 14 years.

Select the latest articles from each of the following sections

Lessons from the Future Fund for retail investors

The Annual Report from Australia's sovereign wealth fund reveals new ways it is investing in fixed income and alternatives. The Fund considers its portfolio as one overall risk position with downside protection in one asset class allowing more risk in another.

All’s fair in love and super: why couples should equalise super

Changes implemented by super reforms since 1 July 2017 have brought greater incentives for spouses to equalise their superannuation balances, including tax and estate planning benefits.

My 10 biggest investment management lessons

A Chris Cuffe classic article that never ages. Every experienced investor develops a set of beliefs about how markets operate.

Have your say

We have received thousands of comments on articles, but here is a chance for you to set the agenda. Comment on any subject relevant to our audience.

Six market themes for the next five years

Up, down or sideways? From disruption to de-globalisation, these six key themes will determine the sectors and companies that will do well in portfolios in coming years.

Risk and reward in three high-income investments

As term deposits no longer satisfy the need for income, more investors are turning to alternative sources. Here's a check on where three types of fixed income sit in the company funding structure.

Six suspects in the murder of inflation

The market has been looking for inflation for most of the last decade. Low interest rates should increase consumption, borrowing and demand and result in higher prices. What killed inflation?

What do negative rates and other RBA moves mean for investors?

The RBA is likely to first exhaust conventional easing by cutting the cash rate to 0.5% by year end before deploying unconventional measures. Negative interest rates are unlikely.

The death of value investing in a low growth world

For value investing to remain a rational strategy, mean reversion must hold true, which requires supportive economic conditions. But historical ranges are not relevant to companies losing market share.

From popular to unthinkable: do political outcomes impact investments?

Political outcomes are challenging to predict. Instead, we need to focus on the investment implications of a variety of policy outcomes. A long term perspective is where valuation intersects with fundamentals.

Recession and why timing markets doesn't pay

Inevitably, with each new development in this cycle, investors as what they can do to prepare for a recession. Our answer: revisit asset allocation, diversify, and review active risks in your portfolio.

Which political party is best for share prices?

Total returns from the local stock market have averaged 10.5% per year since Federation, with 12% p.a. under right-leaning governments and 8% p.a. under left-leaning governments. But it's mainly luck.

Five reasons SMSFs are making asset allocation changes

Substantial changes are underway in SMSFs which until recently held a narrow range of assets dominated by cash, term deposits and Australian equities. Trustees have never faced so many choices.

Four companies riding the healthcare boom

There are strong demographic trends in ageing and consumer spending and investing in the right healthcare companies can ride this wave as well as produce better health outcomes for people. 

Using equities to generate reliable yield

Investing in equities for their dividends and income is not as easy as it sounds. High dividend stocks are more volatile and the dividend is not a sign of quality or value. Take care chasing yield.  

Why August company reporting season was poor

Profits results in August 2019 were overall poor, and other factors are in play that influence share prices. It is difficult to jump aboard a profit announcement and make money in the short term. 

Why you should be wary of share buy backs

This week, Treasurer Josh Frydenberg told Australia companies to invest in growth rather than return capital or buy back their own shares. There are other reasons to check the merit of buy backs.

How to spot genuine pricing power

Look for a company whose prices are rising faster than inflation without customer churn, while leveraging its existing strong relationships to cross sell or up sell or some mix of both.

Four things advisers can do to manage conflicts

Thanks to the Royal Commission, everybody is aware of the problems with vertical integration and in-house conflicts for financial advisers. What should advisers and their clients look for?

5 more mistakes to avoid with SMSFs

SMSFs are useful retirement vehicles, but there are rules to follow which can easily be overlooked in haste. Run your eyes over the next five rules in this continuing list.

Why Westpac walked away from advice

Statements by Brian Hartzer, CEO of Westpac, confirm that financial advice delivered by advisers to the mass market is not financially viable, and technology is the solution if most Australians are not to miss out.

Westpac case and the digital fix for SOA mess

Recent legal cases involving Westpac and BT put to rest any view that 'caveat emptor' (buyer beware) applies to 'no' and 'general' advice service models, even though those models do not attract a best interests duty.

The $1 billion quiet achiever in Australian philanthropy

Structuring giving using Public or Private Ancillary Funds is an attractive strategy for donors who need a tax deduction now, and the flexibility to distribute the funds to charity over time.

Facebook, Google need new business model

It is better for management and regulatory bodies to work together to preserve the innovative engines of Facebook and Google, not impose painful government intervention.

Magellan’s Vihari Ross on the players in the team

The companies that earn a place in an investment portfolio are like the players in a sporting team. They must perform strongly and complement each other, and not keep someone out who is better.

Alex Vynokur on how ETFs disrupted investing

ETFs are doing to funds management what Spotify did to music. All investors and product providers need to adapt. Active managers can no longer justify index hugging at active fees.

Adele Ferguson on ‘Banking Bad’ and weaving magic

The journalist most responsible for the calling of the Royal Commission takes care not to be roped in by everyone with a complaint to push. It takes experienced judgement to gather the right information.

Megan Scott on multitasking in a COO world

The role of Chief Operations Officer is not well understood, but it involves everything from keeping the office running day-to-day to long-term strategic planning, and the ability to multitask is essential.

Nathan Hughes on consistency in strange markets

Regardless of how a fund manager is performing, it's vital to have the confidence in a long-term set of rules that have stood the test of time through many markets, including recognising SRI principles.

James Maydew on how demographics drives real estate

Managing listed real estate investments on a global basis allows opportunities to be taken anywhere, and as demographics affects property, move into different sectors and countries. But ultimately, all property is local.

Welcome to Firstlinks Edition 322

The latest update on the Future Fund's portfolio shows an asset allocation that differs from almost everyone else, and certainly most SMSFs. The stark variations versus individual trustees are the heavier allocation to global instead of domestic equities and significant investments in private equity, alternative assets, infrastructure and timberland.

  • 4 Sep 2019

Welcome to Firstlinks Edition 321

More falls in cash rates and Josh Frydenberg's advice to boards to stop paying special dividends and making buy backs would mean further income reductions for investors. The Reserve Bank hopes moving from 1% to 0.5% would stimulate the economy, but what about the withdrawal of spending power from millions relying on their savings?

  • 29 Aug 2019

Welcome to Firstlinks Edition 320

Most of you have never used a bond price calculator. It may sound boring but inputting a few yields into this simple calculator is highly instructive. It shows why bond funds have delivered strong returns in the last year and the possible impact of a reversal if rates rise. Let's check some prices based on the longest Australian Government bond listed. 

  • 19 Aug 2019
  • 5

Welcome to Firstlinks Edition 319

A couple of weeks ago, a mate hosted his 70th birthday bash (thanks for asking, no, I am nowhere near that age). He was surrounded by his children, grandchildren and dozens of friends. As waiters brought out fine food and wine, he said the last few years had been the happiest of his life. As Paul Keating wrote in an early edition of Cuffelinks, the years from 60 to 80 should be about retirement living and lifestyle.

Welcome to Firstlinks Edition 318

Where are equity markets heading in the short term? Sorry, can't help you. Who knows what the most powerful (currently) man in the world will tweet in the middle of the night, with every bond and currency trader among his 62.8 million followers? 

Welcome to Firstlinks Edition 317

In an exclusive from Hamish Douglass, he shares 13 investment lessons he has applied in building the Magellan business. He divides the insights into four topics: finding investments, letting them work for you, temperament and risk.

Chris Cuffe

Chris has many years of experience in building successful wealth management practices.

Noel Whittaker

Noel Whittaker is one of the world's foremost authorities on personal finance.

Phil Ruthven

Phil Ruthven is the founder and director of IBISWorld, Australia's best-known business information, forecasting and strategic services corporation

PJ Keating

Paul John Keating is a former Australian politician who served as the 24th Prime Minister of Australia, in office from 1991 to 1996 as leader of the Labor Party. 

Cuffelinks is sponsored by:

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Perpetual

Perpetual Equity Investment Company Roadshow from 17 Oct - 8 Nov 2019.

CFSGAM

rebrands to First Sentier Investors.

BetaShares

Australian ETF Review August 2019.

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