ETFs

Australian investors are looking past the allure of franking credits and moving towards a more unbiased diversification, with ETFs providing a cheap, liquid and highly available access point.

Investors will need to adjust to a new context of greater volatility to get on the “right side” of new opportunities, BlackRock strategists said, with higher interest rates and inflation likely to stick around and “mega-forces” driving market performance.

Diversification is key for building long-term, sustainable wealth and managing risk. While no single approach is best, using several diversification strategies offers sound protection against portfolio volatility, writes Selfwealth brand and content lead Robert Marfell.

With ETF providers offering a slew of products aimed at shipping exposures, the ‘esoteric legend’ of the Baltic Dry Index still has a place in the hearts and minds of investors.

The popular debate lacks nuance. Neither is foolproof but both can play a crucial role in building portfolio resistance and balancing the risk/reward dynamic.

The shift to healthy longer term deposits has begun, and while Australian equities still dominate SMSF portfolios, the way they access them is changing.

The announcement comes amid a major push into the domestic market for Global X, which in December signaled its intention to launch 10 new products in 2023.

ETFs have revolutionised the investing universe for many good reasons. But ultimately ETFs are just like stocks – there are the good, the bad and the ugly.

The pendulum may have swung back towards active management this year, but the domestic ETF market is flush with options and continues to steal FUM.

Latest research from Investment Trends shows a weakening in retail investor numbers, with “interest rate rises, market downturn and inflation” all playing a role.