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Wednesday, 29 September 2021

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Whitepapers:

1-100 out of 298 results.

It’s the second mouse that gets the cheese

The markets are awash in crosscurrents, so it’s critical to focus on what’s material and filter out market noise. When things get complicated, it's helpful to try to simplify them.

Global microcaps: Exploring this unique asset class

Global microcaps is a largely overlooked and misunderstood asset class in Australia. Investors who have made an allocation in offshore markets have been drawn to its superior potential for wealth creation and diversification benefits.

Western Asset: Five reasons why fixed-income still matters

In today’s low-rate environment, do bonds still provide effective diversification in a traditional asset allocation framework? Are the reasons for owning fixed-income the same as they have been in the past? The short answer to both questions is a resounding 'Yes'.

No place to hide: Five-year capital market assumptions

Conservative investors that need to protect real purchasing power in the short run (a retiree on a tight budget) will likely invest differently than investors that have long time horizons.

Why SMSFs are making changes to asset allocation splits

While the traditional 70/30 asset allocation split may have served retirees, and those still working, well for some time, today’s environment may require a change in strategy. Here are some tips on tapping into growth and reviewing core exposures.

The power of perspective: 2021 Vanguard Index Chart

Staying the course isn’t always easy for investors, but looking at how markets perform over time places the current market in context.

Weighing up the cost of ESG bonds

ESG bonds are an increasingly popular way for fixed income investors to signal that they are taking ESG seriously. But how do they compare to traditional bonds? And, how can investors avoid paying the so-called "greenium"?

Emerging markets disrupt, innovate, and power transformation

Emerging markets have innovative companies capable of disrupting established industries, changing the course of a country’s economic outlook, while generating strong growth and returns.

Ten for 2021 - Midyear Update

Last November, the heads of four investment platforms identified the key themes they anticipated would guide investment decisions in 2021. With the year half over, we see how they’ve played out and check the outlook.

An emerging property niche to watch: Ghost kitchens

Digital transformation, cost cutting through operational efficiency, scalability and Covid safety are impacting almost every industry. The hospitality sector is facing disruption from a new consumer trend – an insurgency of ‘ghost kitchens’ – which has implications for property investors.

Minicycles and liquidity as a fixed income alpha lever

Shifts in market structure post-GFC have led to lasting changes in the behavior of credit spreads, with significant implications for active investors.

Five ways to turn down the noise and stay focused as an investor

The risks around investing seem to receive ever higher prominence these days as the digital age enables the rapid dissemination of news and opinion. The danger is that all this noise is making us worse investors as we lurch from one worry to the next. The key to investor success is to manage the noise and stay focussed.

Interest rates, house prices, super: keys to Australia's household wealth

Changes in the ‘wealth effect’ are a key factor in assessing the outlook for the Australian economy due to a large share of our economy being driven by household consumption.

BondIncome. Weekly Market Insights

This weekly report from Firstlinks sponsor, BondIncome summarises the latest market movements, new bond issues and other related events.

The case for gold in diversified superannuation strategies

This report reviews the role gold can play in diversified superannuation strategies based on market data and super funds since the 1990s.

Transitioning to net-zero investing

Support for the goal of net-zero emissions gained strong momentum during 2020. What does this imply for market participants, and what initial steps can asset owners and managers take on this daunting path?

Moore’s Law and the race for the rest of the chessboard

The explosion of exciting breakthroughs in AI, autonomous driving, 5G, and cloud computing will drive double-digit growth in semiconductor revenues for the foreseeable future.

Asset Allocation Committee Outlook 2Q21

The arrival of coronavirus vaccines means the economy should eventually get out of its sickbed but, faced with risks on both the upside and the downside, the Asset Allocation Committee thinks investors should take things steady.

A Guide to Listed Investment Companies (LICs)

This paper explores the benefits and drawbacks of the LIC structure, focusing on how LICs can be an appropriate investment vehicle for shareholders of all sizes, particularly those with a long‑term approach.

Vanguard research explores Australian attitudes to investing

Research on Australian attitudes and approaches to investing, shows that while half think about their financial future and lifestyle almost daily, 70% don’t have a financial plan. The report explores Australians’ financial education, investments approach and future outlook.

Millennial investment trends confirm ETF move

Research by BetaShares shows the groundswell of millennial investors is here to stay, with those under the age of 40 accounting for around two thirds of new ETF investors in 2020.

The 2021-22 Australian Budget

The 2021-22 Budget sees the Government ditch its plan to start budget repair (or austerity) once unemployment is 'comfortably below 6%' in favour of continuing to focus on growing the economy to drive full employment and, in doing so, repair the budget that way.

Video: Federal Budget 2021-22 - What it means for you

With changes to personal tax, superannuation and childcare, how will this year's Federal Budget affect you? nabtrade's Gemma Dale covers the budget essentials in this short video.

2020 Australian Ethical Sustainability Report

Australian Ethical has expanded its reporting to take a deeper look at its advocacy initiatives, climate action, alignment to the UN Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), community support and people and culture highlights.

Value versus growth stocks: The coming reversal of fortunes

In a reversal from the past ten years, Vanguard expects value to outperform growth over the next ten-year period by as much as 5% to 7% per year, and perhaps by even more over the next five years.

Credit investments can boost conventional ‘barbell’ portfolios

Investors are using corporate bonds to boost returns within their fixed income portfolios, creating tailwinds for the asset class. This Global Credit Outlook 2021 explains why corporate bonds are an attractive option.

Bull market in Australian house prices may be close to the end

So here we go again with yet another cyclical property boom against the backdrop of poor affordability and high debt levels! Of course we all know this, but how does the latest upswing fit in the context of the long-term or secular swings in the Australian property market?

Inflation, rotation and opportunities

With predictions of above-average economic growth globally, record fiscal and monetary economic stimulus and increased likelihood of inflation, we are entering an economic environment never seen before.

Market outlook 2021 Q&A

A Q&A on the investment outlook including the global recovery, vaccines, inflation, the risk of a share crash and Australian house prices.

Western Asset: Will inflation finally turn up in 2021?

There has been a wave of speculation recently about the inevitability of rising inflation, given the enormous amount of both fiscal and monetary stimulus unleashed to counter the ill effects of COVID-19’s economic impact. While the specifics are new, we’ve seen similar concerns over the last 40 years, and we are not convinced this time is any different.

The Year of Living Dangerously

Hamish Douglass, Chairman and CIO at Magellan, explains the intricacies around the vaccines for the virus behind COVID-19, warns a mutant variant could appear and tells why that’s just one risk that could catch out investors in 2021.

To have an impact on diversity, count on culture

The world is pushing for social change, with calls to alleviate social injustice and racial inequality growing louder around the globe. Businesses have as much responsibility for diversity and inclusion as individuals.

Asset allocation challenges: 5 questions for 2021

A static investment approach is unlikely to deliver on long-term return objectives in the current conditions. The Multi-Asset Solutions team explore five key questions on asset allocation.

Hamish Douglass on the hunt for super-compounding stocks

Hamish discusses Magellan's unusual origin story, China, and how to build a cohesive world-stock portfolio. Check this podcast from Morningstar in the US.

Navigating investment in a post-Covid world

2020 was a year like no other, with COVID-19 reshaping the way we live, work and invest. As the year began, we were forced to reassess how we interact with each other, how complex systems work together and how nature has more power over us than we normally like to admit.

Asset Allocation Committee Outlook 1Q21

The arrival of coronavirus vaccines means the economy should eventually get out of its sickbed, but we think investors should take things steady as the recovery is likely to be uneven and bring its own risks.

Fixed Income Investment Outlook 1Q 2021

With asset prices close to record highs, we believe many investors are underestimating the potential risk of inflation as economies recover. Here, we focus on inflation developments and how they could affect fixed income positioning in 2021.

Real Assets Outlook

From across AMP Capital’s global offices, various Infrastructure and Real Assets teams share their key themes for the year ahead and how investors can access the opportunities that emerge.

Global Innovations Driving Zero Carbon Cement

There is currently no low-carbon replacement for cement’s core ingredient—called clinker—that also matches the scale of growing global demand. This puts cement in a tug-of-war between two global trends: improving standards of living and decarbonising national economies.

Australian ETF Review – December 2020 and year-end

2020 was a standout year globally for ETFs, with the pandemic causing investors to turn to the liquidity and accessibility of ETFs in their droves in incredible volatile conditions.

The long view: Investing through adversity

Markets periodically experience corrections that are part of the investment environment and this volatility can provide opportunities for investors to upgrade their portfolios. History shows that staying invested through periods of volatility has rewarded long-term investors.

Five reasons for optimism in 2021

There’s no shying away from it, recovering from COVID-19 and the great lockdown will be unsteady and challenging. However, for Australia, there are green shoots appearing for 2021.

Implications of a green future

Australia’s electricity system is undergoing unprecedented change arising from the proliferation of renewable energy generation, but our existing energy system is not designed to cope with such rapid transition.

Solving for 2021: The world after the coronavirus

Neuberger Berman's senior investment leaders look to the coming year in the global economy and markets and identify key themes they anticipate will guide investment decisions in 2021.

BetaShares’ Top 3 global tactical trades using ETFS

Chief Economist, David Bassanese, outlines what he considers to be three alternative global investment opportunities and how to access some of the 98% of investment opportunities that are outside of Australia.

'China tech' and concentration risk in emerging markets

Like tech in the US, a few Chinese internet behemoths have become increasingly dominant in the emerging market cap-weighted index, Realindex Investments reports.

Five reasons why Australian shares are likely to outperform in the year ahead

This note provides an update and looks at five reasons why the Australian economy is well placed for a solid recovery in 2021 and why Australian shares are likely to be relative outperformers versus global shares.

Water disruption: investment risk from multiple angles

Water itself isn’t just an economic policy issue and risk arising from population growth and climate change. This paper outlines how water is impacting the day-to-day operations of investee companies and how they are thinking through their own business models and business risk.

Three big market changes in recent weeks

(Written prior to the US election) Perpetual’s Multi Asset team share their perspectives on the most recent developments of the continuously-evolving Coronavirus situation and the related implications on financial markets, the global economy and policy responses.

A Perpetual view of the US election

For a view of the US election result and the effect on the stock markets and the economies of the US and Australia, we’re talking with three of Perpetual's investment specialists and researchers.

Airlines: After the COVID nosedive

In March 2020, air travel as the public knew it changed forever due to the outbreak of COVID-19. The challenges faced by airlines are significant but there are reasons to invest selectively now.

Guide to market recoveries: How to stay focused on long-term success

While bear markets can be difficult, they can also be periods of opportunity. To help put recent markets into perspective, this report outlines three facts about market recoveries and three mistakes that investors should avoid.

An enduring solution for low yields

Investor portfolios built on a dividend-focused strategy will need to be 100% allocated to equities and greatly elevate their portfolio risk, to meet most income needs in the current low yield environment.

The 2020-21 Australian Budget

Last year's “back in black and back on track” budget was all about delivering the long-awaited budget surplus. This year, it’s spend, spend, spend as the focus remains on recovery and jobs, jobs, jobs.

The growing problem of zombie companies

The existence of 'zombie' firms is a dangerous and growing problem in the global economy. These are companies that would normally have gone bankrupt or been restructured but have been kept alive by sympathetic credit policy and artificially low interest rates.

COVID joins the dots to collaboration and decentralisation

In the first of a two-part piece, Portfolio Manager Amit Lodha discusses how the current COVID-19 pandemic is shaping a future where collaboration and decentralisation may become cornerstones for the way companies work.

BetaShares Australian ETF Review – August 2020

The Australian ETF industry has extended its strong growth run, exceeding the $70 billion milestone for the first time. This latest review examines the relative growth of ETFs versus the long-established LIC industry.

Can active equity managers be cloned using factors?

The continued development of strategies to harvest factor returns in a low-cost manner has effectively raised the bar for many managers.

The power of dividends

Martin Currie recently wrote to all the major companies in the firm's Australian income strategies. The objective of the letter is to emphasise the value of dividends for retirees, charities and institutions at this difficult moment.

Stay the course: 2020 Vanguard Index Chart

While short-term market conditions tend to grab headlines, it’s the long-term story that really counts. As Vanguard's Index Chart shows, while markets fluctuate on a daily basis, asset values have steadily increased over the last 30 years.

BetaShares Australian ETF Review – July 2020

The Australian ETF industry snaps back to all-time highs as the top two issuers, BetaShares and Vanguard, extend their lead. Also notable was seeing two ethical ETFs in the top 10 products for flows this month.

What the recovery might look like post COVID-19

Brandywine Global's latest recap of current market conditions and an examination of what the post-Covid-19 recovery may look like based on a selection of charts.

Asset Allocation Report June quarter 2020

Following the sharp fall in markets at the start of the year, Q2 saw strong rallies across global equity markets as investors shed their bear skins for bull horns.

Waste Side Story: The other side of consumption

By 2050, the World Bank predicts that waste growth could be twice as fast as population growth and, if not managed correctly, will have a devasting impact on our lives and the planet.

BetaShares Australian ETF Review – Mid-Year 2020

In the six months to June 2020, the Australian ETF industry emerged from one of the most volatile periods in sharemarket history, with record inflows and huge increases in trading values.

2019-20 poor returns but it could have been much worse

The past financial year was poor for investors as coronavirus knocked economies into what is likely to be their biggest hit since the 1930s. The blow was softened by a strong rebound in the June quarter.

How EM companies are evolving new profit pools

Many emerging market (EM) companies are evolving new profit pools by reimagining and reconfiguring their business models through advanced technological integration.

A very bond-friendly crisis

Neuberger Berman's fixed income team believe the COVID-19 crisis and the response from governments and central banks creates an unusually favorable macro environment for credit.

Allan’s Legacy - Investment Thinking

Orbis founder Allan Gray's distinctive investment philosophy has been in place at Orbis since inception. This paper highlights a small selection of the investment insights that have resonated most with those who worked with Allan over the years.

Nobel Laureate perspectives on a post COVID-19 world

Sir Christopher Pissarides, Nobel Laureate and labor market economist in a webinar to discuss the implications of the pandemic and what it means for investors.

Refocus on retirement: 10 tips to help investors in the current environment

The COVID-19 crisis and its consequential economic and market impact represent the first serious challenge to the new generation of investors in retirement who have embarked on drawdown.

10 medium to longer-term implications from the coronavirus shock

There has been much debate about the short-term economic and investment impact of coronavirus – on economic activity, unemployment, interest rates, house prices, shares, etc. However, the magnitude of the shock means it will have medium to longer-term implications as well.

Western Asset's Global Outlook, Q2 2020

Western Asset’s base case outlook is for a longer, U-shaped global economic recovery premised on the view that near-term growth will be severely impacted, but that this shortfall will prove to be largely transitory as policymakers push to resuscitate economic activity.

Australian ETF Review April 2020

Investors committed more than $1bn in new money to ETFs in April, as the sharemarket rebounded after dramatic falls in March, spread across a range of asset classes and exposures, reflecting a diversity of investor views and investment strategies.

The new economic order

The Covid-19 crisis will trigger a step-change in policy, accelerate existing trends and transform investment frameworks. Government intervention, fiscal activism, corporate governance and sustainability, and continued Asian economic strength will characterise this new order, creating opportunities out of dislocation.

The case for real return investing + Covid webinar

While most long-term investors accept that market corrections and fluctuations occur over time, severe downturns lead many to question: How to best structure a portfolio to withstand extreme market stress?

Bear funds: Some questions answered

'Bear funds' are one of the few ways investors can profit from market falls, but it is important to know how they work and the risks involved, including how they relate to movements in the underlying market.

Is there light at the end of the coronavirus tunnel for investors?

After a strong rally, in the short-term shares are vulnerable to bleak economic and earnings news. However, positive news on the coronavirus outbreak is starting to get the upper hand.

Asset Allocation Committee Outlook 2Q20

Attempts to flatten but lengthen the growth curve of COVID-19 infections through social distancing and self-isolation will hopefully save lives and keep healthcare systems running. The price to pay is a steep reduction in economic activity.

10 tips for investors in uncertain times

With the volatility in markets at the moment, Fidelity has outlined 10 key principles to help investors keep their wits about them in this handy infographic.

Panic is the enemy

COVID-19 is leading to unprecedented economic destruction across the world. While the human and financial cost will be enormous, dislocation also presents opportunities. Investors will need patience and a long-term horizon to benefit.

The Fed’s latest initiative is a game-changer

The Fed policy initiatives introduced in recent weeks together represent a game-changer for the economy - in ways that go beyond what you might think.

The benefits of gold as a strategic asset for SMSF trustees

Precious metals have been valued as a store of wealth for generations. Contemporary investment vehicles are today making this asset class more convenient than ever to hold within a diversified investment portfolio.

Five charts on investing for rough times like these

While we haven’t seen a pandemic-driven bear market before, the basic principles of investing have not changed. This note revisits five charts that are particularly useful in times of stress.

Lessons for investors from unconventional monetary policy

The complete, three-part series on unconventional monetary policy – which looks at the how and why, and what local investors can learn from the experience of Germany and Japan.

Global ETF Review Full Year 2019

Echoing the trends observed in the Australian ETF industry, 2019 was another record-breaking year for the global ETF industry, highlighting investors’ continued preference for passive investment vehicles.

Fixed Income Investment Outlook 1Q20

With a stable economy likely to provide a positive environment for credit this year, shifts in monetary policy could contribute to more frequent volatility in fixed income markets, while political developments will be an ongoing risk.

Why sustainability matters in real estate

As Australia’s largest employer of 1.4 million people, and Australia’s biggest industry, the real estate industry has a tremendous opportunity to lead the way on addressing key ESG issues and support a sustainable future.

Technology is reshaping modern medicine

Technological leaps in medicine are accelerating as researchers find better ways to treat more diseases, in more ways, for more people but ethical and economic challenges could limit the benefits ‘medtech’ brings to healthcare.

How to fly guilt-free

Numerous studies point to travel by plane as one of the most emissions-intensive modes of travel. Given this is unlikely to change anytime soon, what is the best way to fly guilt-free?

Five charts to watch on the global economy and markets

Shane Oliver looks at five charts worth keeping an eye on regarding the global investment outlook for this year.

Australian ETF review: year-end 2019 and December 2019

The Australian ETF industry finishes a big year at an all-time high of $61.8 billion in funds under management at the end of December.

The role of fixed income in a diversified portfolio

Many investors are familiar with the concept of diversification, spreading investments across different asset classes. Most diversified portfolios include growth assets, such as shares and property, as well as defensive assets, such as fixed income and cash.

Fixed income fundamentals

A fixed income investment is a simple interest only loan. It may be made to a government, semigovernment authority or company; as such, fixed income investments are often referred to as ‘debt’ investments.

Emerging and Frontier Markets Strategies

Channel Capital affiliate, RWC, provides an overview of the third quarter of 2019 before exploring investment opportunities in the healthcare sector in emerging and frontier markets.

Solving for 2020

The heads of Neuberger Berman’s investment platforms identified the key themes they anticipate will guide investment decisions in 2020. These 10 themes are discussed in detail in this report.

Vanguard economic and market outlook for 2020

Friction from the trade war, the Brexit saga and broader political uncertainty have translated to further muted expectations for global growth.

Asset Allocation Committee Outlook 4Q19

Neuberger Berman’s Asset Allocation Committee meets quarterly to poll its members on their outlook for the next 12 months on each of the asset classes noted and, through debate and discussion, refines its own market outlook.

The devil is in the details: does responsible investing really deliver?

An estimated US$30 trillion of AUM today takes into account some form of ESG data, but does responsible investing deliver only perceived value or can it really enhance overall risk/return?

In a world searching for growth, Asia shines

The long-term outlook for Asia is positive, but in the short term, there is likely to be some volatility thanks to trade disputes, weak Chinese data and political unrest.

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10 reasons wealthy homeowners shouldn't receive welfare

The RBA Governor says rising house prices are due to "the design of our taxation and social security systems". The OECD says "the prolonged boom in house prices has inflated the wealth of many pensioners without impacting their pension eligibility." What's your view?

Three all-time best tables for every adviser and investor

It's a remarkable statistic. In any year since 1875, if you had invested in the Australian stock index, turned away and come back eight years later, your average return would be 120% with no negative periods.

The looming excess of housing and why prices will fall

Never stand between Australian households and an uncapped government programme with $3 billion in ‘free money’ to build or renovate their homes. But excess supply is coming with an absence of net migration.

Five stocks that have worked well in our portfolios

Picking macro trends is difficult. What may seem logical and compelling one minute may completely change a few months later. There are better rewards from focussing on identifying the best companies at good prices.

Survey responses on pension eligibility for wealthy homeowners

The survey drew a fantastic 2,000 responses with over 1,000 comments and polar opposite views on what is good policy. Do most people believe the home should be in the age pension asset test, and what do they say?

Let's make this clear again ... franking credits are fair

Critics of franking credits are missing the main point. The taxable income of shareholders/taxpayers must also include the company tax previously paid to the ATO before the dividend was distributed. It is fair.

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