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Edition: 360

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  • 3 June 2020
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Drought, bushfires and coronavirus ... the Treasurer has admitted Australia is in a recession after the fall in the March quarter GDP, but the stock market has rallied strongly driven by the optimism of the stimulus packages. The withdrawal of up to $20,000 from superannuation is understandable for anyone struggling financially during the epidemic, but some young people have more money during this crisis than ever before in their lives.

Small investors miss out as institutions and banks cash in

Retail shareholders are being scaled back and diluted by boards and investment banks. If retail shareholders own 30% of a company, the Share Purchase Plan should represent 30% of the overall raising.

Chris Cuffe on why private debt is a hidden gem

Due to its illiquidity and higher risk, private debt as an asset class will not suit all investors. But for a patient investor with a longer-term horizon, private debt funds can provide a good risk/return trade off.

Three realities and three mistakes in market recoveries

It's not easy focussing on the long term when the short-term news is bad, but strong businesses find a way to thrive when times are tough. Here are three timeless facts and three evergreen mistakes.

Why asset allocations shifted due to COVID-19

Retail investors can learn from a multi-asset strategy that looks how macro events and economics affect market and portfolio risk. Major asset allocation changes can occur in response.

Three key company features in assessing the outlook now

With higher unemployment and cautious consumers, portfolios should be positioned for lower sustainable demand compared with prior levels. Here are three key features of companies in a lower-demand world.

Is Afterpay really worth $50?

How does an analyst value a stock which has traded between $8 and $50 in two months? Regardless, Afterpay has delivered Australia's youngest billionaire, and thousands have enjoyed the wild ride.

Choosing an index fund is more than just the expense ratio

Popular belief is that all index funds are the same, but it pays to follow this framework, which shows there is more to consider than the cheapest management cost. Replicating an index is not easy.

Disruptive technology is fast-forwarding into the future

Global lockdowns have accelerated the adoption of new technologies. The pandemic and resultant economic recession shine a spotlight on societal issues where technology can create solutions.

Media worth consuming - May 2020

Links to dozens of global media articles that do not receive mainstream coverage in Australia. It's sceptical, fun and revealing, often challenging consensus and accepted wisdom.

Most viewed in recent weeks

It’s time for LICs to die

A high-profile dividend cut and a prominent fund manager’s apology have reignited a long-running debate. If investors can access similar exposures more cheaply and efficiently elsewhere, what exactly is keeping LICs alive?

Division 296: the initial moves to make before the windows close

What if the best superannuation strategy isn't about earning more, but acting before your options disappear? Several overlooked planning windows are narrowing, with consequences that can last for decades.

The retirement scorecard: how many of these questions can you answer?

From the maths of retirement, estimating spending and picking the right asset allocation to survive a poor decade, here are the questions every retiree – current or future – should be able to answer for themselves.

Testamentary trusts: Treasury has picked the wrong reading

A decades-old estate planning tool has survived one tax crackdown only to be caught by another. The surprise isn't who the reform is targeting, but who could end up paying the price for drafting choices made years ago.

Superannuation’s structural failings

Politicians are fighting over access to super, but they may be arguing about the wrong thing. The system’s three fundamental flaws have been hiding in plain sight for decades, costing Australians far more than they realise.

Avoid unnecessary CGT with this estate planning clause

A simple estate plan can create a ticking time bomb. One overlooked clause can pit spouses against children, delay inheritances, and potentially leave a family facing an unexpected tax bill worth hundreds of thousands of dollars.

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