Stylistic investing, or the concept of separating companies into arbitrary buckets due to their perceived growth, value or defensive characteristics, tends to dominate discussions these days. Fundamental research and the many rules of thumb applied by investors were founded in a very different world, where “cigar butt” companies (so named by Warren Buffett, who likened…
Are investors looking at a dividend bonanza in 2021? According to Dr Don Hamson, portfolio manager of the Plato Australian Shares Income strategy, the drought may be coming to an end. According to the one of the leading active income investors in the country, investors in the S&P/ASX 200 index are looking at an improved…
Emerging markets have been among the most popular targets for allocations from financial advisers in recent months. Whether it is the strength of the economic recovery in Asia, or the more attractive yields available on sovereign and corporate debt, Australian advisers are finally embracing the sector. One group with extensive experience is Eaton Vance, a…
It was another busy week for Australia’s rating agencies, both on a corporate and operational level. On the one hand, Australia Ratings Group was acquired by Foresight Analytics, something we covered here. More topical though, was the upgrade of a number of popular, high-performing funds in 2020 and 2021. The Firetrail Australian Small Companies Fund…
According to experts, higher inflation would be the worst possible scenario for long-term or long-duration bond owners like Jamieson Coote, yet the team is welcoming the challenge, highlighting a number of issues that tend to be misunderstood by less experienced investors. Chief among these is the forgotten “carry and roll” strategy that has actually delivered…
The financial services regulator ASIC has ramped-up its legislative activity in 2021, following a 2020 dominated by pandemic support and leniency. Commenting to media in recent weeks, ASIC’s deputy chair Karen Chester flagged recent proceedings lodged against industry funds Rest Super and Statewide Super as just the beginning. She flagged a “now-mature pipeline of non-Royal…
Neuberger Berman, a US$405 billion ($527 billion*) global multi-asset manager, this week highlighted the opportunity arising in credit markets amid the bond and equity market selloff. Commenting on recent events that have seen the 10-year US Treasury bond begin 2021 at a yield of 1.0% and reach 1.6% in recent weeks, the firm’s chief investment…
Challenger Financial Group (ASX: CGF) and its suite of asset management businesses have started 2021 off the same way 2020 finished. As part of their half yearly accounts, the company flagged a partnership with $500 billion Japanese asset manager Nomura Asset Management as both seek global diversification. According to the deal, Nomura and Fidante will work…
According to specialist asset ratings firm, Evergreen Ratings, run by Angela Ashton, who also operates the growing investment consultancy business, Evergreen Consulting, private debt markets continue to offer “one of the most attractive risk-adjusted return profiles” in the market. Commenting after the release of the latest research report, in which Global Credit Investments, or GCI’s,…
This week the nation’s financial advisers received news that their annual registration fees, or “adviser levies.” would increase by the equivalent of 160% over the next two years. According to the regulator’s announcement, the total cost per retail advice licence is now $1,500 plus an additional $2,426 per authorised representative under the licence. This means…
