Investing 101

As it stands in 2022, 1.7 million Australians are now invested into exchange-traded funds (ETFs); that represents 33 per cent growth on a year ago. For the uninitiated, an ETF is simply an investment product, structured as a unit trust, which holds shares on behalf of the investor and is listed on a stock exchange…

During times of crisis such as the current war in Ukraine and rising global tensions, markets tend to fall because of fear and uncertainty. Advisers looking for a way to hedge against this declining market or the possibility of a decline to come might want to consider using covered call options for their clients, especially…

While markets have so far shrugged off the inevitable rate rises, there’s plenty more to come – and the global outlook keeps getting gloomier. The Federal Reserve’s decision to unleash massive monetary stimulus in the early days of Covid-19 (and in nearly every economic crisis before it) ushered in a brief golden age for markets….

The Sage of Omaha, Warren Buffett, recently highlighted a growing issue within financial markets in his annual letter to shareholders, the idea of earnings versus profit. He drew attention to the fact that Berkshire Hathaway relies on ‘old-fashioned’ profits, not modern measures of ‘earnings’ that can be easily manipulated by boards and accountants. Earnings, profits…

Polen Capital has an enviable track record of delivering overall out-performance and averaging double-digit annual returns for more than 33 years. Headquartered in Boca Raton in Florida, USA, the firm manage $80 billion in assets and provide investment strategies to wholesale & institutional clients around the globe. The Inside Investor recently met with Simon Gregory…

Buybacks have been all the rage in last the few years. Triggered by the availability and low cost of capital, US listed companies in particular have embraced the strategy with great gusto. The idea is quite simple; if you have excess cash in your company, why not buy back your own shares, in effect “investing…

Against a backdrop of deepening geopolitical tensions, heightened inflation and rising interest rates, First Sentier are hoping for smoother sailing this year. But with inflation on the rise the outlook is far from clear. The asset manager’s portfolio managers have listed 10 investment themes that will be on their watchlist for the remainder of the…

Treasury Josh Frydenberg delivered his long-awaited, pre-election budget this week, seeking to offer respite to a ‘surge’ in the cost of living. The Federal Government, and next Government for that matter, face a difficult challenge in navigating what is likely a short-term surge in inflation and hit to the cost of living, with demands for…

The Chinese property giant is in trouble again, which is no surprise to those who have followed the Evergrande saga. The company was being kept alive by a government rescue operation since it officially defaulted last year, having not paid US$22 billion in bond repayments. This time, Evergrande says it will miss the due date…

ANZ has leapfrogged its competition to become the first bank in the world to mint a stable coin that is pegged to the Australian dollar. A stable coin is a digital asset designed to keep its value stable in relation to another asset. The landmark transaction is a sign of approval and vote of confidence…

Listed Investment Trust (LITs) have become the latest income-producing craze, with income-seeking investors starting to consider a switch to the closed-ended trusts. What are LITs and LICs? Firstly, listed investment companies (LICs) and listed investment trusts (LITs) are both managed investments that are listed on the ASX, and have a range of unique characteristics. LICs…

Blood diagnostic company Haemokinesis Limited is ASX-bound, with its $17 million share issue, at 20 cents a share, closing this Wednesday, with Haemokinesis expected to commence trading on the exchange on Friday, 8 April. When it hits the screens Haemokinesis will have a market capitalisation of $77 million. Haemokinesis – which means “moving blood with…