Register For Our Mailing List

Register to receive our free weekly newsletter including editorials.

Home / 533

Podcast: UniSuper's John Pearce, today's GFC similarities, LIC news

Season 2, Episode 11

Special guest John Pearce, Chief Investment Officer at UniSuper, explains why the 60/40 portfolio is far from dead, that governments not central banks are to blame for the recent inflationary spiral, why history is a dangerous guide to the future, and how UniSuper has recently invested heavily in the downtrodden US banking sector.

Morningstar's Peter Warnes tells us why events today remind him of 2007, a year before the financial crisis hit.

And Firstlinks' Managing Editor, Graham Hand, gives an update on developments in listed investment companies and listed investment trusts, including planned delistings from Neuberger Berman and Forager, the ongoing battle over Magellan Financial's Global Fund, and Wilson Asset Management's latest offering.

The podcast is also available via our dedicated website page, Google Podcasts, Apple Podcasts, Spotify, and BuzzSprout.

Please share with friends and colleagues, and a favourable rating would help spread the word. We welcome questions and suggestions at [email protected].

Grab a cuppa and settle in for our chat.

James Gruber
Editorial, Firstlinks and Morningstar

 

  •   1 November 2023
  • 5
  •      
  •   
5 Comments
Peter
November 02, 2023

I wish there was a transcript. Listening to podcasts takes up too much time and I am eager to read other articles contained in "Firstlinks"

James Gruber
November 03, 2023

Point taken, Peter. Unfortunately, transcripts take time and we don't have the resources to do it right now. We do include extensive time stamps, so you can go to bits of the podcast that interest you. 

Greg
November 02, 2023

Hi Peter, as a general comment, I too find video clips and sound clips present information at a quite "slow" information rate compared to that of a reasonable speed reader.

I may be teaching you to "suck eggs", however - have you noticed the "speed adjust" icon on this podcast which lets you increase/change the replay speed (with some clever adjustment to avoid to Donald duck effect).

It is the small box with the 1x in it.

TonyD
November 02, 2023

This is a hack to get a text summary using AI.

1. Share the podcast to Spotify by clicking on the up-arrow icon in the player.

2. In Spotify share the podcast to get a url link.

3. Go to poe.com and use your free access quota to ask Claude2-100k for a summary with the prompt:

Summarise: https://open.spotify.com/episode/2EyAcpxM2X95JYnxNqCXou?si=w_Tq3fs3SiSPmvlq5J72ZA

4. Caude2 will generate a summary and suggest additional prompts to dig down:

> Tell me more

> What are some potential risks or downsides of favoring credit over equities in a portfolio?

> Can you explain why UniSuper is currently favoring credit over equities in their portfolio?

> What are some examples of fragilities and weaknesses that were exposed during the global financial crisis?

> How does UniSuper determine the strategic allocation shift between credit and equities in their portfolio?

Sally
November 03, 2023

Agree totally ... time poor & would much prefer to read a transcript.

 

Leave a Comment:

banner

Most viewed in recent weeks

Indexation implications – key changes to 2026/27 super thresholds

Stay on top of the latest changes to superannuation rates and thresholds for 2026, including increases to transfer balance cap, concessional contributions cap, and non-concessional contributions cap.

Has Australia wasted the last 30 years?

The 20 years after Peter Costello left Treasury have been deemed wasted...by Peter Costello. The missed opportunities for Australia began long before.  

The refinery problem: A different kind of energy crisis in 2026

The Strait of Hormuz closure due to US-Iran conflict severely disrupted global energy supply chains. While various emergency measures mitigated the crude impact, the refined product market faces unprecedented stress.

3 ways to defuse intergenerational anger

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.

Navigating the next stage of life in retirement

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.

The missing 30%: how LIC returns are understated, and why it matters

The perceived underperformance of LICs compared to ETFs is due to existing comparison data excluding crucial information, highlighting the need for proper assessment and transparent reporting.

Latest Updates

Superannuation

Do super funds need a massive wake up call?

UK retirement expert, Guy Opperman, believes super funds are failing at supporting members in deaccumulation. Here is what Australia should do about it. 

Retirement

Sequencing risk resurfaces for retirees

A retirement strategy must consider how both the timing of cash flows and the sequence of returns impact the final dollar outcome from which a retirement is funded.

SMSF strategies

Meg on SMSFs: Payday super – why should SMSF members even care?

Not filing your SMSF annual return on time can mean missed contributions under the new Payday super regulation. 

Strategy

There will be no permanent underclass

Worries about AI causing mass job loss are misguided. Far from creating a permanent underclass, Like other technological innovations AI will improve living standards around the world.

Taxation

Reforming the taxation of wealth and wealth transfers

As the budget approaches debate continues about the need and method for addressing wealth inequality. Could reinstating wealth transfer taxes be the answer?

Investment strategies

The biggest oil shock in history. Why isn't the price higher?

While increases in oil prices are dominating media coverage of the turmoil in the Middle-East it is worth exploring why prices haven't gone up more. 

Financial planning

Structured giving's new moment

A big year for philanthropy has seen multiple tax changes impact the approach donors are taking. For those with the intention to give generously there is a third structure available in the structured giving landscape.

Sponsors

Alliances

© 2026 Morningstar, Inc. All rights reserved.

Disclaimer
The data, research and opinions provided here are for information purposes; are not an offer to buy or sell a security; and are not warranted to be correct, complete or accurate. Morningstar, its affiliates, and third-party content providers are not responsible for any investment decisions, damages or losses resulting from, or related to, the data and analyses or their use. To the extent any content is general advice, it has been prepared for clients of Morningstar Australasia Pty Ltd (ABN: 95 090 665 544, AFSL: 240892), without reference to your financial objectives, situation or needs. For more information refer to our Financial Services Guide. You should consider the advice in light of these matters and if applicable, the relevant Product Disclosure Statement before making any decision to invest. Past performance does not necessarily indicate a financial product’s future performance. To obtain advice tailored to your situation, contact a professional financial adviser. Articles are current as at date of publication.
This website contains information and opinions provided by third parties. Inclusion of this information does not necessarily represent Morningstar’s positions, strategies or opinions and should not be considered an endorsement by Morningstar.