Investing 101

Thankfully, Byron Bay’s voracious shark population spared Hollie Briggs, as she swam off Tallow Beach for an hour. That meant the head of global product management for the Growth Equity Strategies Team at Loomis, Sayles & Co. could take the Investment Leaders Forum audience on an entertaining journey through the world of behavioural biases in investing.

In a wide-ranging and deeply considered contribution at the Investment Leaders Forum in Byron Bay, Hugh Selby-Smith, co-chief investment officer at Talaria Asset Management, delivered a compelling challenge to conventional portfolio thinking.

As with so many debates that have passionate adherents, the value-versus-growth debate is not one where investors need to pick a side. Ultimately, both value and growth styles serve complementary roles.

The debate between fundamental investing and systematic investing is right up there with the Beatles versus the Rolling Stones, or that between fans of pineapple on pizza and those who ban such a thing. As with those debates, both have a place, and it’s not absolute.

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.