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28 August 2026

Home / Author: RQI Investors

RQI Investors

Lessons from the Quant Winter

The quant winter was a two‑year period from 2018-20 when quant funds underperformed. This was largely a Developed Markets effect, with Australia also affected. In the last few years we've seen strong quant factor performance which raises the question of whether a quant winter could recur.

Corporate culture: Do companies that talk the talk also walk the walk?

Getting corporate culture right can be a powerful tool for any company and an important dimension for firm value. While intrinsically important for companies, it is notoriously difficult to measure.

Extreme concentration and its implications for equity investors – Addendum

This paper extends RQI's recent research on extreme concentration, turning to the Australian and Emerging Markets (EM) experiences. It aims to provide evidence that Australia and EMs do not show the same recent upward trend in concentration as the US.

Extreme concentration and its implications for equity investors

Concentration in equity markets has reached unprecedented levels, particularly in the US. A select few mega-cap stocks now dominate market indices, reflecting a convergence of technological innovation, speculative enthusiasm, and the allure of generative AI.

A deep dive into profitability

This report examines the characteristics and trend of a well-known measure of quality - Profitability. It discusses the reasons why it is a useful measure and why it might be persistent through time.

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SMSF strategies

Meg on SMSFs: What do we think about reversionary pensions these days?

Reversionary pensions have long been a staple of SMSF estate planning, but are they still the best option? Meg Heffron revisits a once-clear favourite and asks whether changing super rules have shifted the balance.

The ageing ‘crisis’ has not and will not happen

Rising age dependency is frequently treated as a warning sign for economies. But when actual workforce participation is examined, a strikingly different picture emerges about ageing, productivity and economic sustainability.

Retirement

How does the 4% rule stack up?

The 4% rule has long been retirement's gold standard. But after a difficult period for investors, fresh analysis suggests a more conservative approach may significantly improve the chances of making savings last.

Shares

Four charts that expose market concentration risk

Investors have recently been rewarded for backing market leaders, but history suggests this eventually comes at a cost. Now may be the time to review whether your portfolio is carrying unintended risks beneath the surface.

Investment strategies

The case for gearing beyond property

Most Australians gear into property but ignore shares. That may be a mistake. Used carefully, geared equity strategies can enhance long-term returns, reduce cash tied up in growth assets and support retirement income goals.

Economy

Australia's $1 trillion debt pile

The headlines exclaiming that Australian government debt has hit A$1 trillion and US government debt has hit $40 trillion has turned heads, but how serious are they really? Will Australia's mix of debt create challenges?

Economy

Has 100 years of growth made us any happier?

For decades, GDP has been the benchmark for economic success, but has it made us materially happier? If happiness does not rise in lockstep with prosperity, are we overlooking what constitutes a successful society?

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