December 2013
Investing
10 December 2013 |
Broker reports editor
Broker recommendations should be taken with a grain of salt. DIY fund investors can often do better by betting against them, according to one broker report.
06 December 2013 |
PSI
SMSF investors need to consider the possibility that the Australian economy will not adjust to the end of the mining and capital investment boom. If the adjustment is slow and weak, then the way to make sound returns will change.
19 December 2013 |
Broker reports editor
The increase in government debt will have implications for where banks look for liquidity. One broker predicts it will mean a move away from securitisation and mortgage backed securities, which would be a negative for the regional banks.
19 December 2013 |
Broker reports editor
The sharp sell off in QBE has focused attention on other players in the sector. One broker has given a breakdown of their performance. Another recommends IAG.
17 December 2013 |
Staff reporter
The ATO has cleared up some issues around SMSF investors borrowing to buy property. But should DIY fund managers go into the hot property market? A Senate enquiry will be looking at issues of affordability and the availability of land.
12 December 2013 |
PSI
Australians are borrowing heavily to buy into the property market, pushing out first home buyers. Low interest rates are increasing investors' appetites. For DIY super investors relying on capital gains, the market is looking frothy again.
11 December 2013 |
Staff reporter
Interested parties are ratcheting up their debate about the merits of DIY funds investing in property. But self managed super investors should always look at what the true motives are for those making the comments.
05 December 2013 |
Broker reports editor
Retail sales have shown some life, the most since August 2012. But for SMSF investors looking at investing in the sector, there are good reasons to be cautious. One broker prefers home/experience exposure to apparel.
05 December 2013 |
Staff reporter
SMSF investors are increasingly considering property for investment. Many are warning of the dangers, because trustees are in part relying on capital gains in what already seems an inflated market. What is a good predictor of those gains?
News
13 December 2013 |
Reynard
When SMSF investors undertake investments in the Australian share market or other asset markets, they should be aware that they are operating at the traditional level. Above them, there is another level of computer driven geekery that is using what they do as data to feed into their risk models.
06 December 2013 |
Reynard
There are some key features of investment soundness: correlation, management skill, risk management, alignment of interest. These have different levels of relevance to SMSF investors but all should be considered.
13 December 2013 |
PSI
Governments could monitor their own surveillance and decide it is against the national interest. Then they could knock on their own doors at 3 a.m. and put themselves in handcuffs, while making sure to ban any press coverage. After all, we must have privacy.
06 December 2013 |
PSI
"What does SMSF stand for? Is it: a) Succubus Martes Solipsis Facto, which is Latin for Succubus Martes Solipsis Facto?"
Economics
11 December 2013 |
PSI
There are concerns that the American stock market is overheating and bubbles are beginning to form in the world economy. But fear remains the overriding sentiment, and investors are still parking much of their capital in cash, despite low interest rates.
04 December 2013 |
PSI
China is starting to loosen its controls on the yuan, which may unleash a tidal wave of investment from the Middle Kingdom. It is a significant development for SMSF investors to watch. Some of that money may be coming towards Australia.
Portfolio
16 December 2013 |
Staff reporter
The high $A suggests that looking offshore has its attractions. But the fate of Australia's currency is determined by forces larger than the performance of the local economy, making its direction unpredictable. And there are risks in overseas markets.
18 December 2013 |
Staff reporter
SMSF investors should understand their own biases and tendencies if they are to make sound decisions. It is possible for very different people to do well, but self knowledge is key.
04 December 2013 |
Staff reporter
The Federal government is ideologically well disposed to SMSFs. Meanwhile, SMSF investors are looking offshore to take advantage of the high $A.
Super
09 December 2013 |
PSI
The politics of DIY super is heating up, with the industry funds flexing their muscles and lobbying the Federal Treasurer, Joe Hockey, hard. SMSFs do not have as co-ordinated a voice.
02 December 2013 |
Staff reporter
Insurance premiums are rising, gobbling up the increases in super contributions. And lobbyists for the financial advice industry are gearing up their efforts to have legislative changes watered down. It is a time for SMSF investors to be wary.