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16 May 2026
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Sir Michael Hintze founded CQS in 1999 and it has established itself in London as a major credit-focused, global, multi-strategy asset manager with AUD20 billion under management. We chatted on his recent visit to Australia.
Most financial advisers are forced to use Approved Product Lists, model portfolios, procedures for Statements of Advice, rules of their Professional Indemnity Insurance ... but what about independent advice?
Every day, an expert writes somewhere about the adverse impact of a reduction in franking credits due to a lower company tax rate. This tax rate has no impact on the after-tax returns received by Australian shareholders.
In the 1970s, bank branches had pistols in the teller drawers and cupboards, but behind the accidents and hilarious stories lies a grim truth that is a warning to Trump's crazy idea to arm teachers.
Financial advisers, especially in vertically-integrated firms, attached a product sale to the advice, confusing clients and setting off a chain reaction where regulators stepped in. The reputation of financial advice was compromised.
Warren Buffett's latest letter to shareholders gives his definition of 'risk' and makes surprising points about holding bonds versus shares which will delight equity investors and managers.
Inflation doesn’t just raise today’s bills - it quietly increases the amount needed to retire, while simultaneously making it harder to save. Three steps to take before June 30th to improve retirement outcomes.
AI fears have shifted from bubble talk to disruption anxiety, driving investors toward asset-heavy, 'AI-resistant' businesses while punishing many software and service firms. This environment may be ripe for stock pickers.
Private markets can offer diversification and return potential, but their opacity, scale and wide dispersion of outcomes make manager selection and due diligence critical for non‑institutional investors.
Global REITs have fallen out of favour, trading at deep discounts after years of underperformance, despite resilient earnings and improving fundamentals.
True financial success isn’t about how much you make, but whether you can sustain it — survival is the only win that matters.
Why Australia's biggest energy bet may already be redundant while a less celebrated government program is exceeding expectations.
Assets that deliver emotional satisfaction tend to offer lower financial returns, as investors accept an “emotional yield” in place of performance which shapes how investors approach ESG and unpopular assets.