231 Result(s) Found
Quarterly Market Wrap Q3 2024
The US and Australian equity markets hit record highs at the end of the September quarter as news of moderating inflation and a global move to lower interest rates overshadowed geopolitical uncertainty and a brief breakout in volatility in August.
Minchin Moore Expands to Brisbane
We are thrilled to welcome Justin Brand, the founder of Brand Financial, to the Minchin Moore team as Partner and Regional Manager for Queensland.
The Return of Volatility
This week has seen the resurgence of volatility, with some big swings in markets. Media headlines have been filled with shock and awe. It is natural for this commentary to feed into our emotions, and often this triggers a negative feedback loop that fuels further market volatility.
Quarterly Market Wrap Q2 2024
A bumper financial year, in which developed market shares posted a gain of 20% and Australian shares surged 12%, ended in a more subdued fashion in the June quarter. Big picture, markets seemed to be in a holding pattern, waiting for economic skies to clear.
Tips to avoid being fooled by misinformation
There is more information at our disposal than ever before. Now you may have thought that would be a positive thing, but it’s harder than ever to discern its quality, reliability and significance.
Don’t be Seduced by Trendy Investments
Most of us have been tempted by the latest investment fad. Before discovering evidence-based investing, I often read the money sections of Sunday newspapers in search of new ideas, and on the odd occasions where I was persuaded to invest it rarely turned out well.
Quarterly Market Wrap Q1 2024
After the exuberance of the “pivot party” in the last eight weeks of 2023, many thought that there could be a retraction in early 2024. But markets have shaken off expectations that interest rate cuts are not coming as quickly as they had priced in at the end of last year.
Six Ways to Improve Your Investment Decision Making
In this week’s edition of Insights, we delve into the invaluable lessons left by the late Nobel Laureate, Daniel Kahneman. His ground-breaking contributions to behavioural economics have become a cornerstone of our investment philosophy.
Learn the Art of Zooming Out
Whilst current news and events tend to capture our attention and can often lead our investment decision making. Yet the truth is, this tendency to focus on recent events can be deeply counterproductive for us as investors.
What is a better investment, shares or property?
We are often asked which is the better investment — property or shares? There is no definitive answer because, as with any kind of investment, it depends on your individual circumstances and what you want to achieve. But it’s crucially important that you use accurate and reliable information.
Four Ways to Improve your Investment Decision Making
One of the most valuable life lessons Charlie Munger taught us is the importance of learning from other people, including their mistakes. He visit four of his lessons.
What to do when an expert warns of a looming crash?
As every investor who experienced either the dotcom crash or the global financial crisis will know, stock market crashes can be gut-wrenching. It’s no wonder, then, that people pay so much attention to warnings that they read in the media that the next crash may be just around the corner.
Quarterly Market Wrap Q4 2023
At the start of 2023 every market commentator and analyst seemed to be planning for the recession they were convinced was coming. Equities and bond yields would all tumble as the fastest interest rate increases in a generation would plunge the world into a recession.
How to guard against overconfidence
In most aspects of our lives, confidence is an asset that supports us. It gives us courage, and helps us learn. But in the realm of investing, so many things that work for us in our normal lives, work against us when it comes to administering our investment portfolios.
Two ways in which the media hinders investors
One of the most common and most difficult to overcome biases that investors exhibit is that of ‘short termism’. How do we overcome this, in order to be better, less anxious investors?
How to help teenagers learn about money
Many of us who have teenage children may wonder how we can help them to develop a healthy attitude toward money and learn some basic money management skills.
Having strong opinions can be costly
It seems we all have a craving to believe in somebody – and often the somebody is peddling a view that suggests an investor can profit if they subscribe to it. But is following these strong personalities with their bold predictions wise?
How do fund managers invest their own money?
I’ve often been asked by clients how I invest my own money. This often led me to ponder; how would an active fund manager answer the same question?
No one can time the market consistently
Market timing is one of the most alluring notions for investors. The rewards are high for those who can ‘read the tea leaves’ and get the timing right.
Four Common Mistakes that Investment Professionals Make
In the field of investment management facts and fantasy abound and it is often hard to distinguish between the two. As in many walks of life, we often hear of the successes that professional money managers achieve…
Minchin Moore Welcomes Jamie Wickham
We welcome Jamie Wickham with open arms, and we are excited about the wealth of experience and insights he brings to the firm.
The ‘Ego Trap’: unmasking self-attribution bias
When students score top marks, they tend to put it down to their own intelligence or hard work. When they mess up, they might blame the teacher for not explaining the course material better, or the exam board for setting such difficult questions. This is a classic example of what [Read More]
Why Trading Stocks is a Bad Idea
The key thing to understand about buying individual stocks is that the vast majority are duds. Research has shown that, in the long run, only around four per cent of US stocks outperform Treasury Bills.
Quarterly Market Review for September 2023
For most of the quarter volatility stayed low and equity markets around the world defied interest rate increases and kept climbing upwards. But towards the end of the quarter it became apparent that inflation would remain sticky
Income vs. Cash Flow; why the distinction matters
For as long as we can remember, investors, the media and most retirees have misunderstood the concepts of income and cashflow. This may seem like semantics, but the distinction is important – especially for investors who partly, or wholly fund their lives from regular cash drawings from their portfolios. Investors [Read More]
Why wealthy families struggle to stay that way
It is remarkable how often the names on the rich list change. I often wonder why this is so. Once a fortune has been made, retaining it, and growing it modestly through generations, should be a straightforward affair – with the right advice.
How to guard against overconfidence
What is overconfidence bias? Constantinos Antoniou from Warwick Business School explains.
Eight scams you need to be on your guard against
Financial scams reported to consumer and finance authorities run into billions of dollars a year worldwide, and Australia is one of the countries where scams are growing the fastest.
Quarterly Market Wrap Q2 2023
An eerie calm has fallen over markets in recent weeks, as the banking stresses of early March fade into the background. Market measures of risk, such as volatility, have retreated, while global equity markets have rebounded strongly, buoyed by a resurgence in technology stocks.
How hard is investing really?
Most of us have no choice but to invest, at least a portion of our wealth, in equities. To fund the lifestyles we aspire to, and to ensure we have enough money to last us for the rest of our lives, we need to take that risk.
Two ways in which the media hinders investors
Author and fund manager Glen Arnold says there are two main drawbacks with consuming financial media. The first problem is that it encourages investors to focus too much on how their portfolio is performing.
Bonds or Term Deposits: Which is best for your Portfolio?
With term deposit rates up around 4.5% or higher, it’s reasonable to that investors may question the role of a bond fund in their portfolio. Given that bond funds had their worst return on record in 2022, and term deposits are effectively a risk-free investment paying a guaranteed return, why [Read More]
AI-related stocks are on a winning streak; but a diversified portfolio remains your best bet
A portfolio that includes a diversified exposure to international shares that is linked to market cap weights will include stocks before, during and after they have their winning streak. That is your best bet for a successful investment journey.
Are outperforming fund managers skilful, or just lucky?
To what extent is short-term outperformance down to manager skill? The manager, of course, is likely to say it is down to skill. Similarly, when a manager underperforms, they will often blame bad luck.
Quarterly Market Wrap Q1 2023
Global stocks and bonds staged a sharp recovery in the first quarter as signs that inflation is moderating encouraged hopes that central banks will soon begin to wind down their year-long cycle of tightening monetary policy.
Quarterly Market Review for March 2023
This quarter has been dominated by the collapse of Silicon Valley Bank and the ensuing banking crisis, set against a background of cooling inflation, continuing rate hikes, and the prospect of global recession in 2023. Throughout the quarter the prevailing market mood has switched from “hard landing ahead” in the [Read More]
Australian Banks and the Current Global Banking Crisis
Volatility has struck financial markets as several banks in the US and Europe collapse and require Governments and regulators to step in to protect depositors. If there is another GFC brewing, are Australian banks at risk? The short answer is “no”.
Investing is not a Race
“The most important quality for an investor is temperament, not intellect.” That quote from the legendary investor Warren Buffett refers to a human tendency among investors to let their own biases and impulses distract them from investing cautiously.
How to teach small children about money
There’s a great deal of evidence to show that people’s attitude towards money starts to develop very early in life. So what can parents can do to help instil good habits in their children?
Quarterly Market Wrap Q4 2022
December brought to an end the toughest year for global financial markets since the financial crisis of 2008 amid resurgent inflation, rising interest rates and the shock to commodity markets from Russia’s invasion of Ukraine.
Why sitting tight in bear markets pays off
Nobody likes to the see the value of their portfolio fall, but bear markets are inevitable. In fact, it’s those bear markets that are the very reason why we can expect an investment return in the first place.
Six Lessons from Japan on Living a Long and Healthy Life
Most of us would like to live a long and healthy life. After all, there’s no point in working hard and investing for decades if your retirement only lasts a few years.
You should spend on things you love
Carl Richards is a former adviser and an expert on spending habits. His advice is to prioritise spending on time spent with loved ones.
Remember: in most cycles the markets will lead the recovery
Investors often worry, that when a recession is officially announced, markets will respond negatively. In truth, this is rarely the case. The key thing to understand here is that markets are forward-looking.
2022: The Year That Was
Despite reassurances from the RBA at end of 2021 that interest rates would not go up until 2024 (!!!) the equity and bond markets really didn’t believe that, and prices started tumbling right from the start of the year.
Santa Rally, or a Real Rally?
Since the 1st of October the ASX 200 is up some 13%, meaning that year to date the Australian market is now in positive territory – certainly not what most investors would have thought after the volatility in markets this year.
The RBA are taking a break in January
As Christmas approaches, more and more people seem to be asking what is in store next year, in terms of interest rates. For those with mortgages, and perhaps fixed rate mortgages that are about to roll off, the need for clarity is acute.
Gravity Catches Up with Big Tech
Rapidly rising interest rates have had a profound effect on asset markets this year. Perhaps nowhere has this been more pronounced than in the technology sector.
Don’t Give Up on Bonds (they can still come through)
There are signs that global bond markets could be bottoming out and are ready to come back and play their traditional role as a defensive part of a portfolio.
Look for an Adviser who is happy to admit “I don’t know”
In times of uncertainty, people look to financial advisers for answers on things they just aren’t qualified to comment on. Will markets fall further? Will there be a global recession? What will the Reserve Bank of Australia decide to do about interest rates at its next meeting? Will China invade Taiwan? [Read More]
Can investors control the way they behave?
The investor’s worst enemy, it’s been said, is likely to be himself. Regardless of whether they invest actively or passively, investors often harm their portfolios through the way they behave.
Portfolio size makes no difference
As with all industries, participants in the investment industry look to sell themselves, by advertising their own ‘secret formula’. Yet, given the complexity of financial markets and economics, these participants can use ‘poetic license’ more than most.
The economy is not the stock market
One of the most common misconceptions about investing is that the economy and the stock market are perfectly correlated. Yes, they are connected, but it’s not that simple. Peter Westaway is a Chief Economist at Vanguard Asset Management.
Three tips for those on the verge of retirement
Eddie’s a longstanding friend of mine. I’ve always admired his positivity and the almost effortless way he seems to glide through life. He’s also very intelligent: he knows what he wants and usually gets it. But when I saw him at a party the other night, Eddie seemed strangely out [Read More]
Three things to remember when investing during high inflation
One story has dominated the economic news in 2022 — inflation. Around the world, prices have risen faster than forecasters were expecting, because of knock-on effects from the Covid-19 pandemic, the war in Ukraine and strong consumer demand. According to the Australian Bureau of Statistics, the annual inflation rate reached 6.8% in [Read More]
Quarterly Market Wrap Q3 2022
Global stocks were mixed, while bonds fell for a third consecutive quarter to 30 September. Dominating headlines was inflation news, central bank action to rein it in, a rising US dollar, and worries about economic growth. Sentiment shifted during the quarter. A nascent recovery in risk appetites from July to [Read More]
2022 has been one of the Worst Years on record for Balanced Portfolios
Most investors can ‘feel’ that 2022 has been a miserable year. Australian shares, as measured by the All Ordinaries Accumulation Index are down around -7% year to date . US shares have fared even worse, with the S&P 500 Index down -22%. Whilst this is a poor return, negative returns like [Read More]
What a Financial Planner can and can’t control
It’s hard to think of a profession that’s as misunderstood by the public as financial planning. If you ask people, “What does a financial planner do?”, the answer is likely to have something to do with investing or the markets. It might be “They advise which stocks or funds to [Read More]
What value does a Financial Planner really add?
Financial planning is widely misunderstood. This should come as no surprise. The media regularly tells us financial planners are just commission hungry salespeople looking to sell financial products. But what should financial planning be? And how do you get the best value from your financial planner? Fortunately, there are some [Read More]
Should stock investors tactically rotate between different industries to chase trends?
We’re often hearing in the media about emerging industries that seem to offer exciting opportunities for investors. Right now, for instance, there’s plenty of discussion around driverless cars and 3D printing.
Investment tips from an industry insider
David Pitt-Watson is a fund industry insider. I’ve been to meet him and started by asking him the for the single most important piece of advice he’d give to ordinary investors.
The Narrow Road
Keeping the economy moving forward while raising interest rates will be a narrow road and require careful navigation by central banks.
Around the world with the Money Cafe -Ex-pat special episode
This week’s special episode covers money issues for Australians abroad or anyone who has international investment queries. Financial adviser, Dr Doug Turek of Minchin Moore, joins James Kirby to discuss how to manage your Super if moving overseas, checking out the Bali tax break – living there and paying no Australian Tax… and receiving an inheritance from another country? Watch for tax treaties.
Known Unknowns: Bond vs Stock Performance
Known Unknowns. Bond vs Stock Performance, which will do better in the next 12 months?
Towards an ESG Advisory Framework
As client interest in Environmental, Social and Governance (ESG) investing continues to grow and become more nuanced, the terrain between helping clients meet their financial objectives whilst also understanding their personal values is becoming clearer.
Tips from a behaviour expert on handling the Bear Market
Mark Minchin, Managing Partner Minchin Moore One of the ironies of investing is that although it’s actually very simple — or at least it should be simple — that doesn’t mean it’s always easy. In fact, there are times when our discipline as investors can be sorely tested. The last few months, [Read More]
Quarterly Market Wrap Q2 2022
Both global bonds and equities fell heavily in an eventful June quarter in which headlines were dominated by the ongoing war in Ukraine, rising inflation and efforts by authorities to unwind pandemic-era monetary stimulus.
Are active funds the best investment tool to use in choppy markets?
Andrew Marchant, Chief Investment Officer, Minchin Moore Every bear market, the same story gets trotted out. It’s one that says while index funds may give you an easy ride up in the good times, they accelerate the pain in the bad and that the only way to avoid this is [Read More]
Keep calm and carry on
When markets soar, the reflexive nucleus accumbens fires up at the back of the brain’s frontal lobe, and we instinctively want to buy. When markets fall, the amygdala floods our bloodstream with corticosterone, fear kicks in, and we’re overwhelmed by the urge to sell.
Quarterly Market Review for June 2022
The themes for the June quarter are inflation, inflation, and inflation… The ASX defied gravity in the first quarter, but we have managed to catch up with the rest of the world this quarter.
Deja vu all over again
Aside from cash, good quality investment grade bonds are generally the most stable and defensive component of an investor’s portfolio. Yet over the last 12 months have bonds have fallen in value by around 10%.
Survival Guide for Volatility
Investors around the world have realized that fighting inflation is going to be painful—which in turn has caused turmoil in the markets. Since the start of the year the Australian market is down 12% – but that’s good relative to other markets.
Be prepared, more volatility is inevitable
We generally encourage our clients not to follow the ebb and flow of the global stock markets. But every now and then, you can’t easily avoid it, and we’re at one of those moments now. Share prices, and specifically price falls, are once again front-page news. So, what’s going on? And what, if anything, can investors do about it?
How to stay rational in volatile markets
Stock market volatility can be very uncomfortable for investors. It can also lead us to make irrational decisions. But learning to live with turbulent markets is a crucial component of successful investing. Listen to investment journalist Moira O’Neill.
Advice is Improving but Sharks still Lurk
It’s likely to take many years yet for the financial advice profession to regain the trust of the Australian public after the damning findings of the Hayne Royal Commission. The good news, says ROBIN POWELL, is that it finally seems to be turning the corner. But, he warns, you still need to be very cautious when choosing which firm to work with.
What is the Market Outlook? Cloudy with a Chance of Recession
Dr Steve Garth, Independent member of the Minchin Moore investment committee, Principal at Principia Investment Consultants Rampant inflation, rising interest rates, a war in Ukraine, Covid in China, and falling bond and stock prices… It’s a very volatile time in markets and investors have every reason to be unsettled by [Read More]
How to Exercise the Life Choices that Wealth Affords Wisely
A new book by Andrew Hallam suggests we take some time to reflect on what true wealth is all about. The key, he says, is to find a healthy balance, and to work out what sort of purchases make the biggest contribution to our happiness and wellbeing.
Lessons from the Melissa Caddick Scandal
The story of a woman who stole some $30 million from friends and family while posing as a financial planner and then mysteriously disappeared is the subject of Australia’s most popular podcast. It is also an object lesson in what investors should look out for in spotting a fraud.
Research shows that traders are prone to act like gamblers — Even the professionals
Professor Richard Taffler from the University of Warwick is an expert on this subject. He says traders and investors typically exhibit behavioural characteristics more commonly associated with gamblers.
Don’t let the Election disrupt your Investment Strategy
With Australians due to go to the polls on 21st May, that old saying about never bringing up politics at the dinner table perhaps needs to be revisited and extended to not letting how you vote interfere with how you invest. The Australian election pits a centre-right Liberal-National Coalition government, [Read More]
Minchin Moore Announces Merger; Opens Office in Melbourne
It is with great pleasure that I announce the merger of Minchin Moore with Melbourne firm, Professional Wealth.
Quarterly Market Wrap Q1 2022
Global equity markets in the March quarter posted their worst quarterly performance since the onset of pandemic two years ago, while the global bond market notched up its worst performance in at least three decades.
Even with inflation looming, there’s still a place for bonds in your portfolio
Rapidly rising inflation is scary for those who haven’t experienced it — and that’s everyone under the age of around 50. It’s arguably even scarier for those who have. One client’s abiding memory of runaway prices in the 1970s was seeing the advertised price of fuel at their local petrol [Read More]
How to choose a financial adviser
Michael Kitces is a well-renowned authority on this subject. He says that it’s important to realise that the role of an adviser, or financial planner as he prefers to call them, has changed considerably over the years.
Don’t assume outperformance is down to skill
Most investors base their decision on which actively managed fund to invest in on past performance. However they fail to appreciate the extent to which volatility skews returns. They assume that managers who’ve performed well were skilful, when in fact they outperformed simply because they took on more risk.
How investment marketing can mess with your mind
When faced with the truths about how many stock brokers or active fund managers actually outperform the market indexes, it is hard to understand why so many investors chose to invest through these mediums.
How to stay calm when markets fall
With the Ukraine crisis unfolding, markets are gyrating as, each day, they try to incorporate the new news and expectations into stock, commodity and bond prices. In this environment, as markets wobble, its easy to feel anxious, and feel like you need to do “something”. And yet, paradoxically, sometimes the best thing to do is nothing at all.
Five things Investors can Learn from Shane Warne
Drought, fire, pandemic, floods, war and now the premature death of an Australian sporting icon. What’s next? Shane Warne was a flawed individual who polarised opinion. But in this edition of Insights, financial journalist author Robin Powell, explores some of the more positive aspects of his character and suggests there are important [Read More]
Geopolitical Risk and Your Portfolio
Current events in Ukraine are having direct impacts on global markets. Russia and Ukraine are suppliers of raw materials, food an energy – essential for many supply chains.
Is the Investment Climate as gloomy as it seems?
The years 2020 and 2021 were not “normal years”. Both years humbled forecasters, virtually none of whom accurately predicted either the downturn or the recovery. Now, two years on, with the pandemic still raging, forecasters seem more reluctant to make bold predictions for 2022. So, what do we have in store [Read More]
Quarterly Market Wrap Q3 2021
Global Markets Summary Global developed market stocks posted their sixth straight quarter of gains in the third quarter, with many indices hitting record highs in August before easing off in September. Currency movements made a significant impact, with a broadly weaker Australian dollar helping unhedged Australian investors with offshore equity [Read More]
All-Time-High Anxiety
Weston Wellington Vice President, Dimensional Fund Advisers KEY TAKEAWAYS Financial journalists periodically stoke investors’ record-high anxiety by suggesting the laws of physics apply to financial markets—that what goes up must come down. But shares are not heavy objects kept aloft through strenuous effort. They are perpetual claim tickets on companies’ [Read More]
Quarterly Market Wrap Q2 2021
Global equity markets rose for a fifth consecutive quarter in the three months to 30 June, reaching record highs and continuing their rapid recovery from the pandemic shock of the first quarter of 2020.
Quarterly Market Wrap Q1 2021
Global equity markets posted a strong start to 2021, with global indices approaching record highs and many individual markets approaching or surpassing pre-pandemic records.
Dominating headlines were growing signs of global economic recovery amid a fast-tracking of vaccine rollouts and the passing of a US$1.9 trillion fiscal stimulus package by the incoming Biden administration.
Quarterly Market Wrap Q4 2020
Global Markets Summary An extraordinary year in global markets ended on a positive note in an eventful fourth quarter, with equities registering very strong gains, led by small cap and value stocks, while a strong credit premium boosted bonds. The final quarter was dominated again in the news by developments [Read More]
Mind Your Negativity going into 2021
Some sentiments doing the rounds right now: The 4% rule (consuming 4% of your portfolio value each year) will never work anymore because bond yields are so low. Tech stocks are going to see a spectacular crash. The stock market is running on borrowed time. Valuations can’t go up forever. [Read More]
Our Ten Year Journey
From the beginning, our strategy has been to build an independent, professional advice business, unlike anything that existed before. A business free from the conflicts of interest that have plagued our industry for decades. A business that puts its clients first and strives to deliver the highest standards of advice. [Read More]
Quarterly Market Wrap Q3 2020
The dramatic turnaround in global equity markets from the coronavirus-induced slump in March continued in the September quarter, although prices fell back in the final month of the quarter after global benchmarks hit record highs. News headlines in the quarter were dominated on the one hand by hopes of a global [Read More]
US Election 2020 Inside the Numbers
“The most fundamental problem of politics is not the control of wickedness but the limitation of righteousness” Henry Kissinger Regardless of political creed or levels of interest, the one thing we can safely agree on is that the Trump presidency hasn’t been boring. Comparisons with the 2016 presidential race are [Read More]
Time to Embrace Diversification and Total Return
In an environment of diminishing income returns a different approach to funding cashflow is required. This approach seeks to take advantage of the diversification benefits and growth potential from lower yielding assets and adopting a ‘total return’ mindset.
Global Markets and the Global Economy take different Paths
Since I last wrote in this column on 31 March there has been tremendous change. The way we live, the way we work, the way we engage with each other and the way we think about the future. Some of the change has been good, much of it terrible, and there is plenty that we’re still not sure about.
Tech has Skewed the Numbers
To make sense of this seemingly impossible dichotomy of rising markets and deteriorating fundamentals, we need to look more deeply into the stock market’s composition.
Massive Government Stimulus has Reflated the Markets
Any rational assessment of current market prices needs to factor in the huge increase in the money supply that has been spawned by global governments’ ‘whatever-it-takes’ intervention to support markets, businesses, and workers.
The Correlation between the Economy and the Stock Market is Low in the Short-Term
Perhaps the most common misconceptions about the share market is that it is directly linked to a nation’s economy. This is simply not the case. History shows time and again that markets can perform well when the economy is slowing and vice versa.
Likelihood of a Vaccine
Whilst still far from a certainty, we sense the odds of a vaccine being developed appear to be shortening. Researchers around the World are racing to develop a vaccine with more than 140 candidate vaccines now being tracked by the World Health Organisation (WHO).
How to Avoid a Permanent Loss of Capital
For investors, the real danger of crises such as this one is the possibility of suffering a permanent loss of capital. For the most part, this eventuality typically stems from one of four (mostly avoidable) strategies. Let’s have a look at each of these in turn: Exposed or Leveraged Stocks: [Read More]
What does Capitulation feel like?
The one thing we know with certainty with bear markets is that they will eventually end. The problem of course is working out when. In market speak, “capitulation” is the point where everybody has had enough, when investors can take no more pain, the bears have sold everything they had [Read More]
The Economic Scale of COVID-19
Coronavirus is affecting the global economy to a greater degree than any previous event. Global supply chains are so interwoven that the initial disruption in China triggered a meaningful slowdown in World trade and economic activity. Since then, the virus has spread to all the major economies of the World and [Read More]
Should I sell now and buy back in later?
Share markets are breaking records daily right now. With all the uncertainty, and extreme volatility, many investors are asking themselves if they should sell their shares now, with a view to buying them back later when there are signs that things are returning to normal. In this edition of Insight, we provide investors with a framework through which to answer this question.
Portfolio declines since the COVID-19 sell-off began
In this edition of Insights we look at what’s really behind the volatility and give investors a sense of how their diversified portfolios have been travelling through this roller coaster period.
Understanding the Coronavirus
As most readers will know, Coronavirus (now known as COVID-19) started in the Wuhan province in China. Prima facie, you could be forgiven for believing that the virus isn’t remarkable. Most people who get the virus only suffer relatively mild “cold and flu like” symptoms and then they get better. [Read More]
Why ETFs may be better for self-managed super funds
SMSFs have long liked listed investment companies. But given the trend for them to trade below their net tangible asset value, there may be better options. Read the full article on the Financial Review website here.
Zero risk – is it achievable or desirable? (LIVEXchange 2019)
Mark Minchin was recently asked to join an expert panel to talk about managing risk at the LiveX (Australian livestock exporters) conference in Townsville. Risk Tolerance Behavioural Finance Sustainability
Let’s talk about market risk
Whilst investors are right to consider global events and their implications, there is much more to the picture that should be considered if we are to be truly objective about managing risk. Whilst investing has risks, not investing also has risks. However as human beings we have been programmed to [Read More]
Why it pays to monitor your total super balance
While the transfer balance cap is top of mind for most people, getting more into your retirement fund hinges on being across another important benchmark. Read More
Too Scared to Jump In?
With the Australian share market near record highs, some people may feel reluctant to invest and prefer instead to wait until the outlook feels more certain. However the difficulty with this strategy is that there is generally an opportunity cost of not being invested, and no one has come up [Read More]
Why is Market Timing so Difficult?
Attempting to buy individual stocks or make tactical asset allocation changes at exactly the “right” time presents investors with substantial challenges. Buyers and sellers in markets are generally motivated to trade by some sort news or analysis – be it economic data, stock research, or their own hunch or preference. In [Read More]
When SMSFs should think about industry funds
While those with mortgages were celebrating another interest rate cut, self-managed superannuation fund (SMSF) retirees are now staring down the barrel of cash rates below the rate of inflation. Read more
Lost in the Middle?
With the election only a few days away, many of our clients have expressed confusion about the potential impact of a Shorten Labor Government. We’ve taken the time to explain some of Labor’s key tax reform proposals; identifying who will be the winners and losers, plus some of the potentially [Read More]
Hasten slowly on tax restructuring
Charlie Perkins and ABC’s Kristy Reading talk Brexit, Trump and the local elections together with tax implications.
Anatomy of a Bounceback
Charlie Perkins and ABC’s Kristy Reading talk ‘Bounceback’, as well as the RBA changing tack, Trump, and the oscillation of markets. Bounceback RBA changes tack Trump’s war on two fronts Oscillation of markets
Banking Royal Commission – Now you will get what you pay for in financial advice
https://www.afr.com/personal-finance/banking-royal-commission-now-you-will-get-what-you-pay-for-in-financial-advice-20190205-h1aweo
Market timing is a mugs game
https://www.afr.com/personal-finance/superannuation-and-smsfs/market-timing-is-a-mugs-game-20190125-h1agwn
2018 Recap and fearless 2019 Predictions
Charlie Perkins and ABC’s Kristy Reading give a ‘market wrap’ for 2018, talk Trump, as well as Australian 2019 elections. Market Wrap 2018 Trump’s war on two fronts Australian 2019 elections
Perpetual losing the battle for financial advise
https://www.afr.com/business/banking-and-finance/perpetual-losing-the-battle-for-financial-advisers-20190118-h1a83e
Global pullback versus Santa Rally – unstoppable force meets immovable object?
Charlie Perkins and ABC’s Kristy Reading talk global volatility, odds of a Santa Rally, Sydney property reality check and likely pain for Trump.
The Correction we had to have?
Charlie Perkins and ABC’s Kristy Reading talk stock market corrections, US mid-terms, bond pricing and Sydney property.
How SMSF asset allocation can manage volatility
https://www.afr.com/personal-finance/superannuation-and-smsfs/how-smsf-asset-allocation-can-manage-volatility-20181102-h17fxu
We’ve opened a new Sydney office
We are pleased to announce the opening of our new offices in the Sydney CBD – Suite 2.14, 165-167 Phillip Street. This new location represents our fourth office, with existing offices in Mosman, Orange, Walcha, and now the Sydney CBD. Featuring state-of-the-art facilities, the new location in the Sydney CBD [Read More]
Are we due another crisis? What’s our prediction?
Last month saw the ten-year anniversary of the Lehman collapse come and go. This is notable, as the collapse of Lehman was the tipping point of the financial crisis of 2008 and heralded a new economic era. An era where interest rates in the Western World would remain close to [Read More]
Where to from here for the Financial Planning industry?
Even before an interim report has been issued by Commissioner Hayne, major changes to the financial planning landscape are already being announced. Three of the four major players (ANZ, CBA and NAB) have initiated (or in ANZ’s case completed) the spin out of their financial products businesses to create (in [Read More]
Super alone won’t cut it for most of us anymore
When the major superannuation changes came into law in 2017, most of the focus was on the $1.6M transfer balance cap for pension members. However, one significant change that may not necessarily hurt too many people on the cusp of retirement but will affect younger “wealth accumulators”, is the reduction [Read More]
Harnessing the Wisdom of Crowds
Have you ever gone out on a limb and bought a stock on the share market based on a friend or colleague’s advice? Or maybe you heard something and followed up with some homework of your own prior to parting with your hard-earned cash in exchange for some shares in [Read More]
How to generate annuity style retirement returns from a SMSF
https://www.afr.com/personal-finance/how-to-generate-annuitystyle-retirement-returns-from-an-smsf-20180809-h13qt6
Ten year highs | Why diversify | Reaching for yield
Charlie Perkins and ABC’s Brooke Daniels talk ten year stock market highs, diversification 101, and the perils of reaching for yield.
Mark Minchin: One of the 50 most influential financial advisers in Australia
https://www.theaustralian.com.au/business/the-deal-magazine/mark-minchin-minchin-moore-private-wealth-advisers-mosman-nsw/news-story/f3099c47c946c47850fae07002327b7f
Cheaper ETFS entice SMSFs to diversify
https://www.afr.com/personal-finance/cheaper-etfs-entice-smsfs-to-diversify-20180629-h1221y
Royal Commission Part 2 – Choosing between an adviser and an agent
Charlie Perkins and ABC’s Kristy Reading explore some additional insights from the Banking Royal Commission as well as some likely outcomes.
How six member SMSF could work in commercial property
https://www.afr.com/personal-finance/how-sixmember-smsf-could-work-in-commercial-property-20180521-h10bjx
Royal Commission Part 1 – Surprise, clients don’t win conflicts of interest!
Charlie Perkins gives ABC’s Kristy Reading some initial thoughts about the Banking Royal Commission.
Why too much news is not a good thing for investor
https://www.afr.com/personal-finance/shares/why-too-much-news-is-not-a-good-thing-for-investors-20180423-h0z407
The Importance of Independence in Advice
The fundamental structure of the advice industry in Australia has been flawed, pretty much since its inception. The dishonest advice practices that are being uncovered daily by the Royal Commission are entirely the product of a deeply flawed industry structure. Over half of financial planners today are employed or licensed [Read More]
What’s moving the market? Trade wars and a lazy Fed.
Charlie Perkins talks with ABC’s Kristy Reading about the likelihood of a global trade war, and whether the Fed is behind the curve.
Trump tariffs – genuine mercantilism or bargaining tactic?
Charlie Perkins talks with ABC’s Nick Lowther about Trump’s tariffs and volatility’s return to normalcy.
How to help kids financially without a severe impact on your retirement savings
https://www.afr.com/personal-finance/how-to-help-kids-financially-without-a-severe-impact-on-your-retirement-savings-20180109-h0flxf
Bitcoin – The next tulip or the only sensible currency in the room?
Charlie Perkins talks with ABC’s Julie Clift about local and international stock market performances in 2017, and takes down Bitcoin.
Mark Minchin: One of the 50 most influential financial advisers in Australia
We are proud to announce that Mark Minchin has been selected to the Financial Standard Power 50 list of Australia’s most influential advisers. Financial Standard has conducted the search for the FS Power50 once again in 2018, revealing the 50 most influential financial advisers in Australia. This list is made [Read More]
Summer of Love recap, the perils of the 24h newscycle, and letting go of your investing Ego
Charlie Perkins talks with ABC’s Melanie Pearce about the perils of the 24h newscycle and the deep-seated human urge to predict the future.
The Perils of Individual Stock Picking
Selecting and buying individual stocks offers both the hope of great returns (you might find the next CSL or Apple) and the potential for disastrous results (ending up with Babcock and Brown or Centro Properties Group). In this white paper, Mark looks at the odds of success investors face when attempting [Read More]
Ignoring Trump, the ‘conscious bull’ market and the folly of predicting short-term market moves
Charlie Perkins talks with ABC’s Julie Clift on ignoring Trump, the ‘conscious bull’ market and the folly of predicting short-term market moves.
Australia’s Top 50 Financial Advisers. The Money Makers: Mark Minchin No. 8.
Story by Bridget Carter. Published in The Deal by The Australian, in association with Barron’s. July 21st, 2017. Read the article as it was published in print by downloading it via this link, or read below for the excerpt about Mark. Mark Minchin was working in the private wealth [Read More]
Charlie Perkins on international markets, Amazon purchase and the importance of diversification
Charlie Perkins talk international markets with ABC’s Julie Clift and gives a mid-year assessment of the local conditions together with a reminder on the importance of practicing disciplined diversification.
Charlie Perkins talks Trump impeachment and the French election
Charlie Perkins talks with ABC’s Julie Clift about the odds of a potential Trump impeachment together with the definition of and mechanics of an impeachment.
The Oscar debacle, Trump inflation and the French election – Charlie Perkins
The Oscar debacle, Trump inflation and the French election – Charlie Perkins talks to ABC radio. Charlie Perkins talk Trumponomics with ABC’s Julie Clift and dives into the French election as it stands today.
2016 – the year of upsets, or were they? – Charlie Perkins talks to ABC radio
Charlie Perkins recaps 2016’s “Year of Upsets” with ABC’s Julie Clift and discusses the Trump presidency’s likely effect on financial markets.
Trump’s Presidency, how did it happen & what does it mean?
At first glance the Trump victory seems completely bizarre. Here is a man who doesn’t pay his taxes, apparently hates Mexicans, disrespects women, routinely engages in sexual harassment, and is widely viewed as a narcissist…… And then, 81% of Evangelicals, 53% of white women, vote for Trump. How is this [Read More]
US election, global markets and interest rates – Charlie Perkins talks to ABC Radio
Charlie Perkins talks with ABC’s Julie Clift about the US election and its impact on global markets, as well as the likely direction of interest rates in the US and Australia
Speculator or Investor?
Most of the people who come to us for advice consider themselves investors, not speculators. The difference is of course open to interpretation and worth exploring. The dictionary defines speculation as “the forming of a theory or conjecture without firm evidence”. Sound familiar? This is indeed how many investors commonly [Read More]
The Nobility of Paying Taxes
I could be on shaky ground from the outset with an article with a title like this. After all, Minchin Moore is an advice business whose clients rely on us to ensure they don’t pay too much tax. And that’s precisely what we do, we optimally structure their affairs for [Read More]
Latest Amendments to the Government’s Superannuation Reforms
Since the Federal Budget on 3 May 2016, many superannuation strategies have carried a significant element of uncertainty. As you may have heard last week, the Government has announced some significant changes to the superannuation proposals previously announced on Budget night. It’s important to be aware that we still don’t [Read More]
Trump, Brexit and populism – Charlie Perkins talks to ABC Radio
Charlie Perkins talks with ABC’s Julie Clift about recent Australian elections, Trump, Brexit and the global rise of populism. Originally aired on 19/07/2016.
Brexit
We must confess we hadn’t planned to write about the UK. Like most, we had expected that sanity would prevail at the 11th hour given countries rarely commit economic suicide. However as at Saturday afternoon the “Brexit” vote has won the day, Cameron has resigned, and most of the World (including the [Read More]
Short-Termism
In the realm of politics, short-termism is a constant. To start with our terms of government are too short, and our politicians seem to increasingly make decisions based on current polling. Surely their elected role is to broadly consider the best long term strategic options for the country and then [Read More]
Proposed superannuation legislation – Charlie Perkins talks to ABC Radio
Charlie Perkins talks with ABC’s Julie Clift about proposed superannuation legislation announced in the recent Budget. They also take a quick spin around the globe to discuss impending elections, the US federal reserve and the state of play in China. Originally aired 24/05/2016
US and European key economic drivers – Charlie Perkins talks to ABC Radio
Charlie Perkins talks key economic drivers within the US and European economies with ABC’s Julie Clift. They also cover both the rise of Chinese militancy and some recent movers on the ASX. Originally aired 26/04/2016
Make sure you have a process for dealing with volatility
At Minchin Moore we take the novel approach of focussing our time and attention on the things we can actually control, whilst remaining cognisant of the things that we can’t. Some key elements here are: Questions we can’t confidently answer (the ridiculous list): Will markets go up or down? Is [Read More]
It will fluctuate
This response to the posed question “What will the stock market do?” is generally attributed to either J.P Morgan or J.D Rockefeller. Who actually said it, and to whom, is of little import. Far more usefully, it is an axiom that one should keep in mind during periods of enhanced [Read More]
K-Billy’s Super Sounds Of The 70’s
Well I don’t know why I came here tonight, I got the feeling that something ain’t right, I’m so scared in case I fall off my chair, And I’m wondering how I’ll get down the stairs, Clowns to the left of me, Jokers to the right, here I am, Stuck in [Read More]
Resisting Temptation
Many people don’t appreciate it, but an entire industry is built around getting you to trade stocks. The earnings season just provides another trigger for people to click the ticket on your activity. This short video describes the benefits of doing nothing, beyond your regular rebalancing.
What does the bursting of a “Bond Bubble” look like?
A lot has been made about the potential for a “bond bubble” following several successive years of interest rate falls and with interest rates now at historic lows virtually all around the world. Even though rates are down again this year, investors have been worried for some years about what may happen when rates do [Read More]
What is a safe level of drawdown in retirement?
A burning question many retirees have when they cease work and start drawing down on their retirement capital is: “How much can I safely draw each year while ensuring that my retirement capital won’t run out before I do?” In March 2014 Finsia published the first Australian study into exactly [Read More]
Too Low For Zero
Nothing seems to make much sense, It’s all just Greek to me , You know I’m too low, too low, Too low for zero. E. John/B. Taupin 1983 Elton John’s 1983 hit “Too low for Zero” from the album of the same name describes an exhausted gambler on a losing streak. [Read More]
Avoiding herd mentality
What feels safe is often risky, and what feels risky is often safe. This statement contradicts just about every evolutionary instinct we possess. We tend to seek out safety and avoid risk whenever possible. A classic example has to be the instinct that (still) tells us we are safer staying [Read More]
The Day The Carry Trade Died
I met a girl who sang the blues, And I asked her for some happy news, But she just smiled and turned away, I went down to the sacred store, Where I’d heard the music years before, But the man there said the music wouldn’t play D. McLean, 1971 The [Read More]
Fortune Favours The Prepared
In the fields of observation, fortune favours the prepared mind. L Pasteur 1854. Last month we talked of endgames – how the complexity of positions and factors can make it difficult to know when it has started. Being more of a feeling than a definition, it is thus more of [Read More]
Bonds will lose if rates rise… won’t they?
In Australia, like in other young countries such as Canada and New Zealand, we have had a long love affair with equities. Indeed, Australia has had one of the best performing stock markets in the World over the past hundred years. This has led us to be equities centric, and [Read More]
Beware High Frequency Monitoring
Investing is one of the few areas of life where you can do better by working and stressing less. Research has shown that the more frequently you check your investments, the worse it will seem that they are performing. This is known as “myopic loss aversion”. In effect, over vigilance [Read More]
Respect the Cycle
One of the first really valuable lessons I learned in my investment career was to respect the market cycle. One of my seniors at Macquarie Bank always used to say “the cycle lives on!” He was right of course. It was the heady days of 2006/07 when the mood amongst [Read More]
Where Were They Going?
Anyone can see the road that they walk on is paved in gold, and its always summer they’ll never get cold, they’ll never get hungry, they’ll never get old and grey. You can see their shadows wandering off somewhere, they won’t make it home, they really don’t care. They wanted [Read More]
FY2014: The “Experts” were Wrong Again
In around June and July each year we see a raft of media commentary about investment returns for the year that has been, as well as the views and opinions of investment “gurus” for the year ahead. I can’t help reading these assessments and forecasts, but when I do I [Read More]
The Matrix
You take the blue pill, the story ends, you wake up in your bed and believe whatever you want to believe. You take the red pill, you stay in Wonderland, and I show you how deep the rabbit hole goes. Morpheus to Neo, The Matrix 1999 In the story of [Read More]
The Jelly Bean Experiment
Markets can be noisy. How do you deal with this as an investor? One option is to take a position based on a single expert’s opinion. But experience shows that can be a hazardous occupation. Another idea is to look to the combined views of all market participants (basically free [Read More]
Focus on the things you can control
More often than not my client conversations begin with a series of questions regarding the many economic problems facing Australia and the world. Indeed there is no shortage of things to worry about in the current environment. There’s the known problems including the escalating confrontation in the Middle East (this one [Read More]
The dirty little secret the investment industry doesn’t want you to know
It is the dirty little secret of the investment world: most of the fund managers and stock brokers who are paid handsomely to pick stocks actually fail to beat the simple index. And yet the cult of the “star stock-picker” remains as strong as ever. Countless studies have cast doubt [Read More]
The Importance of Rebalancing
An important part of a winning investment strategy is regularly rebalancing the portfolio. Rebalancing is required because the market’s movements cause the value at risk of a portfolio to drift. And as the time horizon increases, it is likely that the allocation to the riskier (and higher expected returning) assets [Read More]
What will the markets do this year?
The ever optimistic Morgan Stanley team suggest the ASX 200 Index will go to 5750 (today we’re at around 4800) by June next year, while JP Morgan are more “glass half empty” with a forecast of 4600 by December. But interestingly, of all the investment banks, only JP Morgan expect [Read More]
How will the Developed World Heal Itself?
We all know by now that the financial crisis that erupted in 2007 and the sovereign debt crisis that followed were the result of the developed world borrowing from the future to fund its current consumption. Essentially borrowing went on for far too long, and has resulted in a monumental [Read More]
Be Wary of Economic and Market Forecasts
Kris Vogelsong & Elton Doyle, Private Portfolio Managers It’s now the end of January and hundreds if not thousands of financial forecasts for 2012 have aired in every corner of the media. Each December through January this annual prediction season sees economists, money managers and market commentators share their annual [Read More]
Consumer Sentiment Diverges from Economic Fundamentals
It is an interesting predicament we find ourselves in today. On one hand our economy is the envy of the developed world, our sovereign debt is low, our interest rates are on hold, unemployment sits at an impressive 5%, real household incomes are rising, and we are in the midst [Read More]