Investing 101

So, interest rates have finally been cut in Australia. Once again, our central bank took longer than most expected to ease financial conditions for Australian borrowers, but with every decision, there are winners and losers. 

Managed funds inflows surged five-fold in Australia in 2024, but exchange-traded funds (ETFs) left them in the dust, as investors continued to prefer the listed vehicles.

A sound investment framework and coherent plan is always advisable, but it’s particularly important when markets are gyrating.

ETFs may have utility, but the notion that you can diversify responsibility of each individual investment needs to be challenged according to managers at The Inside Network’s Income and Defensives Symposium.

Contracts for difference are sophisticated investment tools that can magnify both gains and losses, which is why the regulator

Contrary to popular misconception, senior secured loans actually sit at the safest part of the capital structure and remain backed by company assets. That they’re unsafe is one of several fallacies that needs to be busted, says Invesco’s Ashley O’Connor.

For many, planning to help kids and grandkids out with a first home deposit is something that needs to be done strategically, with timelines, capital growth and tax implications front of mind. Here, investment bonds could be the key.

The Inside Network is launching a new publication aimed at keeping retirement-age Australians informed about investing, with a host of content designed to help them live their best life.

The rise of AI is part of a global knowledge revolution that is reshaping every aspect of our lives, according to AI thought leaders at the Australian Investor Association’s recent investX conference. While it’s new territory, the same investment principles should apply in picking the winners from the losers.

Diversification is one of the most effective tools an investor can use, for the simple reason that spreading risk means you are unlikely to get wiped out if one or two investments go bust. But it is not a foolproof concept, and in fact it is laden with potential traps.

There may be some caveats, but investment bonds can serve as a tax efficient investment vehicle. This is especially so when planning for life events like schooling, inheritances or property purchases.

As an ever-more-connected world makes it harder to deliver uncorrelated portfolios, there are still strategies investors can use to add diversification. Industry leaders recently discussed opportunities in equities and fixed income at The Inside Network’s inaugural Investment Leaders Forum in Queenstown, New Zealand.