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21 May 2025
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Australia as best global model? 3 lessons from my trip, Montgomery on 5G, nervous investors, manager chats, super engagement and access, rate spreads.
My trip to Malta and Italy produced many great memories, but did I really enjoy the experience? As the Nobel Laureate says: “We go on vacations to a very large extent in the service of our remembering self.”
The coming of 5G will herald a communication and internet revolution, but the benefits to consumers and society will not automatically translate to huge profits for providers and suppliers. Who will win?
The recent fall in stock market prices worries many investors, but it is a normal part of exposure to shares. Nervous Investors need to understand how they think, set a plan and stick to it.
Contrary to historical norms, Australian sovereign bond yields are trading below those in the US. What are the implications for hedging and returns from bonds and will the differential be sustained?
Investors rarely ask fund managers the right questions, forcing a confusion between selling and investing. The relationship should focus on the long run and eliminate the luck and noise of short-termism.
Mercer says the nature of the workforce is changing and many part-time workers in the gig economy are excluded from super. It contributes to widespread disengagement and apathy towards super.
Most people think of super access in terms of age, but when life deals a cruel blow, the rules allow members early access subject to certain conditions. It's a valuable safety net.
Infrastructure assets usually benefit from long-term, stable and predictable cash flows, giving them defensive characteristics, with airports traditionally offering reliability even in difficult economic conditions.
Labor has announced a $2.3 billion Cheaper Home Batteries Program, aimed at slashing the cost of home batteries. The goal is to turbocharge battery uptake, though practical difficulties may prevent that happening.
The famed investor says the rapid switch from globalisation to trade wars is the biggest upheaval in the investing environment since World War Two. And a new world requires a different investment approach.
The boss of Australia’s fourth largest super fund by assets, UniSuper’s John Pearce, says Trump has declared an economic war and he’ll be reducing his US stock exposure over time. Should you follow suit?
Every crisis throws up opportunities. Here are ideas to capitalise on this one, including ‘overbalancing’ your portfolio in stocks, buying heavily discounted LICs, and cherry picking bombed out sectors like oil and gas.
While many chase high yields, true investment power lies in companies that steadily grow dividends. This strategy, rooted in patience and discipline, quietly compounds wealth and anchors investors through market turbulence.
Behind market volatility and tariff threats lies a deeper strategy. Trump’s real goal isn’t trade reform but managing America's massive debts, preserving bond market confidence, and preparing for potential QE.