Register For Our Mailing List

Register to receive our free weekly newsletter including editorials.

Home / 445

Welcome to Firstlinks Edition 445 with weekend update

  •   10 February 2022
  • 3
  •      
  •   

The Weekend Edition includes a market update plus Morningstar adds links to two recent stock pick highlights from the week.

Weekend market update

From AAP Netdesk: Shares had their biggest loss in more than two weeks on the ASX on Friday as investors despaired at US inflation figures that may prompt aggressive rate rises. The market dropped about 1% on the day and all but one share category was lower after US annual inflation rose to a 40-year high of 7.5%. Technology was the most affected category and lost 3%. Property, healthcare and utilities each lost 2%. Materials was the only category to buck the trend and gained less than 0.5%. The benchmark S&P/ASX200 index closed down 71 points to 7,217 points. However, for the week, the market rose 1.4%. 

On Friday, the major miners helped limit the ASX losses. Fortescue and Rio Tinto each rose 2% while BHP had a 1% gain. In banking, the Commonwealth fared worst of the majors after this week's strong first-half earnings report. Shares dropped 2% to $98.55. The other banks in the big four each rose by less than 1%. Companies reporting earnings next week include JB Hi-Fi, BHP, Fortescue, CSL, Santos and Wesfarmers.

The ASX200 is about 400 points below its record high in August 2021 of 7,633. The yield on the US 10-year bond topped 2% for the first time since August 2019.

From Bloomberg: US stocks extended their losses on Friday due to tensions over Ukraine. The S&P500 lost 1.9% while the tech correction continued with the NASDAQ index down 2.8%. 

***

In recent years, investors have relied on the 'Fed put', the belief that if the stockmarket falls, the US Federal Reserve will ease monetary policy and rescue the market. It worked in 2018 when the market fell amid a rate tightening cycle, and the Fed reversed its policies. And of course it happened as COVID struck in March 2020, and central banks around the world rode in on white horses.

Why do we in Australia focus so much on the US? Because it dominates global equity markets, comprising about 56% of total global equity market values, versus the next biggest, Japan at 7%, China at 5% and the UK at 4%. Australia squeezes into the Top 10 at about 2% of global market cap. The US is not only the largest foreign investor in Australia, but the place where Australians invest most overseas.

The broad US equity market has performed better than Australia in recent years, mainly due to the success of its tech giants, but the price correlation between the markets is obvious. For example, the chart below shows two index ETFs by the same provider, iShares, with the blue representing the S&P/ASX200 (ASX:IOZ) and the red the S&P500 (ASX:IHVV) over the last five years. If the US market falls in 2022, Australia would surely follow, regardless of conditions in the domestic economy.

Source: Morningstar

It would be dangerous in the current market to assume the 'Fed put' would save investors in 2022. Inflation was reported at 7.5% annual this week in the US, giving the Fed a bigger problem that it did not face in prior years. It is now committed to tightening and is already considered by most economists to be 'behind the curve' and acting too slowly.

This is one of the many points made by Hamish Douglass in his last interview before taking medical leave as Chairman and CIO of Magellan. The discussion focusses on the way he invests rather than the background relating to his personal life and staff changes at Magellan, which have been covered extensively elsewhere. We also discussed wins and losses in his portfolio and how he reacts to market falls.

The chart in my article last week surprised some people, judging by the feedback. It is repeated here because it is a vital lesson for all investors. The data shows the reality of sharemarket investing, which every investor should write at the top of their portfolio or screen, and which I repeat regularly at presentations:

Share prices will fall by at least 10% every two or three years, by 20% a couple of times each decade, and by 30% to 50% every generation. Nobody is immune if they hold stocks, so accept it if you want the long-term rewards from equities.

Along the way, there will be winners and losers, but the best approach is not to bet the house but rely on the slow compounding of wealth in quality companies. In the most recent tech fall out, the criticisms of Warren Buffett for his old-world values have reduced as he has caught up with the 2020 and 2021 success of the tech flagship, ARK Innovation Fund.

Before we leave Magellan, here are the latest thoughts of Shaun Ler, the leading Morningstar analyst on the stock:

"Chairman and CIO Hamish Douglass' indefinite leave from narrow-moat Magellan surprised us. But we don't believe this is overly value-destructive for shareholders. In the interim, Chris Mackay and Nikki Thomas will work with Magellan's investment team to manage its flagship Global Equity strategies. The strategies are in good hands. Mackay is Magellan's co-founder, and was its chairman and CIO until 2012. He is currently managing director and portfolio manager of MFF Capital, a listed investment company of Magellan's, whose investment style is parallel to Magellan Global. A Magellan alumni, Thomas was recently portfolio manager at Alphinity, and her tenure saw the Alphinity Global Equity strategy achieve consistent top-quartile performance.

Despite our conviction in Magellan, our concern is not all investors may be willing to ride out this storm. We lower our fair value estimate to AUD34.50 per share from AUD38, after factoring in 3% more net outflows than before and further trimming our retail fee forecasts. Douglass' leave could add to the list of reasons for consultants and advisors to consider redeeming or haggle lower fees. This follows Brett Cairn's resignation, news of Douglass' family issues, and concerns of underperformance as its holdings Netflix and Meta de-rated in recent weeks. All are immaterial in isolation, but some could view the culmination of them as a sign of firm instability. Long-time client St James's Place's recent redemption is evidence of this."

In our other profile this week, we also interview Mike Murray of Australian Ethical, who describes why they have launched their first active ETF, a high conviction version of their long-term equity strategy. He also reveals some long-term holdings in companies he especially likes, and a stock he expects to hold for 10 years.

Steve Johnson is a fund manager who looks outside the large companies for the best opportunities, and he thinks small caps are the place where active managers can do best.

Two articles on the impact of inflation of real assets. Steve Bennett and Sasanka Liyanage check how commercial real estate has performed during periods of inflation, while Gerald Stack and Ofer Karliner respond to a reader question on the impact of rising prices on infrastructure assets. They also delve into the relative merits of listed versus unlisted assets in this space.

Family trusts are highly popular investment vehicles for Australians, and Stebin Sam shows how they give tax and ownership advantages while acknowledging they are not for everyone due to a few disadvantages.

And Chris Gibson says the country's future prosperity should not rely on digging up rocks, exporting animals and servicing tourists, but with the right incentives, growth in businesses in technology and health can improve the ongoing chances of success.

Two bonus articles from Morningstar for the weekend as selected by Editorial Manager Emma Rapaport

Investors willing to take the long view and look past this week’s modest trading updates from ANZ Bank and Westpac could be rewarded as the two cheaper banks cut costs and resolve the execution issues hampering performance, writes Lewis Jackson. And Vikram Barhat looks at 3 leading chipmakers that are well-positioned to benefit as the easing of supply chain pressures, robust global demand, and improved pricing power boost profitability, 

This week's White Paper from Fidelity International reports on the retirement intentions of Australians, including the emotional journey, why some prefer to continue working and satisfaction in retirement. 

The Comment of the Week comes from Howard Coleman, on the article on risk tolerance and loss aversion:

"Those who more deeply understand the businesses in which they invest, are pleased with the drop in share prices and use this opportunity to add to their positions. Those who have a shallow understanding of the same businesses, worry that 'the market may know something' and are more likely to panic and sell. So loss aversion is heavily dependent on their depth of knowledge of the businesses in which they're invested."

Graham Hand, Managing Editor

 

Latest updates

PDF version of Firstlinks Newsletter

IAM Capital Markets' Weekly Market Insight

ASX Listed Bond and Hybrid rate sheet from NAB/nabtrade

Monthly market update on listed bonds and hybrids from ASX

Indicative Listed Investment Company (LIC) NTA Report from Bell Potter

Plus updates and announcements on the Sponsor Noticeboard on our website

 

banner

Most viewed in recent weeks

Australian house prices close in on world record

Sydney is set to become the world’s most expensive city for housing over the next 12 months, a new report shows. Our other major cities aren’t far behind unless there are major changes to improve housing affordability.

The case for the $3 million super tax

The Government's proposed tax has copped a lot of flack though I think it's a reasonable approach to improve the long-term sustainability of superannuation and the retirement income system. Here’s why.

7 examples of how the new super tax will be calculated

You've no doubt heard about Division 296. These case studies show what people at various levels above the $3 million threshold might need to pay the ATO, with examples ranging from under $500 to more than $35,000.

The revolt against Baby Boomer wealth

The $3m super tax could be put down to the Government needing money and the wealthy being easy targets. It’s deeper than that though and this looks at the factors behind the policy and why more taxes on the wealthy are coming.

Meg on SMSFs: Withdrawing assets ahead of the $3m super tax

The super tax has caused an almighty scuffle, but for SMSFs impacted by the proposed tax, a big question remains: what should they do now? Here are ideas for those wanting to withdraw money from their SMSF.

The super tax and the defined benefits scandal

Australia's superannuation inequities date back to poor decisions made by Parliament two decades ago. If super for the wealthy needs resetting, so too does the defined benefits schemes for our public servants.

Latest Updates

Planning

Will young Australians be better off than their parents?

For much of Australia’s history, each new generation has been better off than the last: better jobs and incomes as well as improved living standards. A new report assesses whether this time may be different.

Superannuation

The rubbery numbers behind super tax concessions

In selling the super tax, Labor has repeated Treasury claims of there being $50 billion in super tax concessions annually, mostly flowing to high-income earners. This figure is vastly overstated.

Investment strategies

A steady road to getting rich

The latest lists of Australia’s wealthiest individuals show that while overall wealth has continued to rise, gains by individuals haven't been uniform. Many might have been better off adopting a simpler investment strategy.

Economy

Would a corporate tax cut boost productivity in Australia?

As inflation eases, the Albanese government is switching its focus to lifting Australia’s sluggish productivity. Can corporate tax cuts reboot growth - or are we chasing a theory that doesn’t quite work here?

Are V-shaped market recoveries becoming more frequent?

April’s sharp rebound may feel familiar, but are V-shaped recoveries really more common in the post-COVID world? A look at market history suggests otherwise and hints that a common bias might be skewing perceptions.

Investment strategies

Asset allocation in a world of riskier developed markets

Old distinctions between developed and emerging market bonds no longer hold true. At a time where true diversification matters more than ever, this has big ramifications for the way that portfolios should be constructed.

Investment strategies

Top 5 investment reads

As the July school holiday break nears, here are some investment classics to put onto your reading list. The books offer lessons in investment strategy, financial disasters, and mergers and acquisitions.

Sponsors

Alliances

© 2025 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.