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2 April 2026
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Where financial advice went wrong, shares v bonds, retirement products, real estate wins, finance fire drill, active/passive, discount LICs, Buffett.
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.
For long-term investors who can tolerate short-term volatility, shares will deliver the best outcome including income in retirement. It's cash and term deposits that are the long-term risks.
Non-residential real estate performed strongly in 2017, but much of this return came from cap rate (yield) compression. Going forward, investors will need to focus more on income growth and sector allocation.
Enthusiasm for post-retirement investment products is growing, and the Government has just appointed an advisory group, but there are many reasons why the industry has not yet finalised the best outcomes.
The active v passive debate has deflected attention from a more important issue, a focus on managing to client goals. Plus active management has suffered relative to passive by the central bank-driven uplift of all assets.
The best time to do a financial fire drill is when there is no fire. Planning for a major bear market will help prevent emotional upheaval and panic selling, and advisers have an important role to play with their clients.
Plenty of LICs trade at a discount to their NTA value, often for good reasons, but there are opportunities to benefit from a narrowing of the discount if an investor knows what to look for.
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.
Platinum’s Kerr Neilson shares his insights into long term investing in global markets, especially the disruptive effects of technology and globalisation. And always with a focus on the price of a stock.
Platinum's Kerr Neilson shares his insights into long term investing in global markets, especially the disruptive effects of technology and globalisation. And always with a focus on the price of a stock.
One in five Australians die before retirement and most have not set up their super properly so their loved ones can benefit from all their hard work and savings.
An ageing Australia is shifting the superannuation system’s focus from accumulation to the lifecycle of retirement. While these pressures have been anticipated for decades, they are now converging at scale and driving widespread industry change.
The 20 years after Peter Costello left Treasury have been deemed wasted...by Peter Costello. The missed opportunities for Australia began long before.
An ‘affordability’ scheme making the county more vulnerable to economic shocks and contributing to the deteriorating financial situation of everyday Australians.
With the upcoming budget increasingly likely to include bold proposals to alter the tax code I’ve outlined three incremental steps with fewer unintended consequences.
Retirement planning is more than just saving enough money. Long-term care needs, housing choices, and social networks are just as critical for a happy and enjoyable life.