Luxury investing: from precious stones to prestige property
For a growing number of wealthy investors, doors that were once closed are swinging open. From precious stones to prestige property, those seeking to build and safeguard their fortunes have an array of investment options at their fingertips.
Joye | Why investing in housing is hard to beat
Is now a good time to jump into the $4tn residential property market? Isn’t it horribly overvalued? The short answers are, respectively, ‘yes’ and ‘no’. I’ve been arguing ever since the RBA started relaxing monetary policy back in 2011 that folks should consider boosting their exposure.
Gearing your investment property: yes or no?
If there is one topic to spark debate among real estate investors it is whether it is better to positively or negatively gear property. Whatever works for you will depend on your risk appetite, experience, preferences and how much you have to invest.
CEO Hot Seat | Andrew Smith, Invocare
Family and community involvement is central to success in the emotional business of funerals and Invocare fosters a culture of support.
Top-performing shares, no matter what the weather
Why be a victim of volatile sharemarket conditions if you don’t have to be? Patrick Commins highlights 24 rock-solid companies that deliver consistent and reliable earnings year after year.
Best and brightest online trading platforms
If you’ve been using the same share-trading platform since you first started trading, it may be time to have a fresh look at the competition. Worldwide digital innovations are starting to make it into the world of domestic online share trading.
Next Big Thing | Kerr Nielson takes the path less obvious
Kerr Neilson created a $2 billion fortune after floating his funds management firm Platinum in 2007. He explains why he’s buying Toyota, Microsoft and other unloved stocks.
Paralympian champion invests in post-track success
Kurt Fearnley takes stock of plans for a golden future for his family through property and equity investments.
Q&A | Mortgage v super; why SMSFs are not joint; CGT discount on shares
Expert financial planner George Cochrane answers readers’ queries about where to put extra fund, common DIY super misconceptions, how to get a discount on capital gains when selling shares, estate planning and more.
How to make sense of franking
Dividend statements can contain information about your shares which isn’t always clear. You could be missing out on tax benefits if you don’t understand it.
Could monetary easing in Japan lead to an Asian currency war?
Though the likelihood of the plummeting yen leading to competitive currency devaluation in the region is being downplayed by most, Japan’s recent monetary easing actions have certainly shaken things up in the trading world.
Trickle-down effect in the real world
New research suggests the boom in income among the rich has inspired the less well-off to save less.
Up to speed
Problem super funds a work in progress for ATO
ATO assistant commissioner Stuart Forsyth has heard some interesting excuses from SMSF members over the years but one from just a few years back takes the cake.
Jeremy Grantham looks to solar as the final hedge
Jeremy Grantham, overseer of investment management fund GMO, argues in a recent quarterly letter that unless the global population declines and our ability to produce renewable energy picks up, we’re swiftly heading towards the collapse of civilisation. So where does the arch-pessimist invest before the apocalypse?
What does the future hold for China? Five expert predictions
China’s expansion over the past few decades has positioned it as the world’s second-largest economy, but its growth is slowing. Five top minds predict China’s financial future and how that will play out for investors.
ASIC disciplines City Index for serious compliance breaches
CFD provider City Index Australia received a smack from the regulator after it was found to have committed serious compliance breaches, including the transfer of client funds into its own accounts.
Sector returns | Healthy and wealthy
The local sharemarket has rallied strongly since 2012, but splitting the S&P/ASX 200 into its parts reveals a massive 60 per cent difference in returns between the best and worst sectors.
Nio Tag sends wireless alert for mobile security
The Bluenio nio TAG is a small white tag that links wirelessly with devices such as iPhones, iPads and laptops through an application from the App Store. If they are separated, an alarm goes off on both devices.
Snapshot
Atrum Coal (ATU)
While Groundhog has the hallmarks of a long life project with many potential share price catalysts, the completion of a conceptual economic assessment that should be released by June is likely to have a substantial impact on the company’s profile.
Clough (CLO)
The sale of its shares in Forge along with the exit of its marine construction business has created a more focused operation that has substantial capital to fund ongoing growth.
Crusader Resources (CAS)
While Crusader’s share price has rebounded after a sustained slide of about 70 per cent over the past 12 months, it is still trading at a substantial discount to Argonaut’s valuation of $1.65. Earnings projections for 2013-14 imply a price-earnings multiple of about 5 relative to its recent trading range.
CSG (CSV)
CSG Finance should help to drive sales in its business solutions division. With leading names such as Canon and Konica Minolta behind it the company could turn the corner as the markets that it is targeting are generally fairly resilient.
E&A (EAL)
The recently awarded $22.8 million contract that involves mechanical and installation work at the new Royal Adelaide Hospital is a substantial boost to the company’s profile given that this is South Australia’s largest infrastructure project ever undertaken.
Kathmandu Holdings (KMD)
Analysts at Moelis took a positive stance on the company’s interim result and they are of the belief that increased brand recognition in Australia combined with the scope to open at least 50 more stores in Australia and New Zealand augured well for the future.
Korvest (KOV)
Management said that it is on the lookout for further acquisitions, and businesses that have recently been added have the potential to provide cross selling opportunities as well as entry into new markets.
MACA (MLD)
Based on consensus forecast for 2012-13, MACA’s earnings per share should increase by about 30 per cent. This suggests that its forward price-earnings multiple of about 9 doesn’t reflect the company’s growth profile.
Maxitrans Industries (MXI)
The company anticipates a similar second-half performance, which implies a net profit of about $25 million. This is broadly in line with consensus forecasts and suggests there may be scope for further share price upside.
Premier Investments (PMV)
Analysts at Bell Potter are of the view that organic growth will need to come from an increase in sales, in particular “more reliance on rejuvenation of core brands and continued growth offshore”. In the absence of an acquisition this seems to be a fair summation.
RCR Tomlinson (RCR)
Management has demonstrated with its power division that it has the ability to effectively integrate new businesses and achieve operational and strategic benefits for the group.
Ruralco Holdings (RHL)
While it is obvious several of Ruralco’s businesses need to stage a recovery over the next 12 months, the fact that its wool, real estate, water solutions and insurance operations are all performing well is important in terms of assessing management’s performance.
UXC Limited (UXC)
UXC was recently included in the S&P/ASX 300 index, which is likely to elevate its profile and bring it to the attention of institutional investors that manage index-based portfolios.
Western Areas (WSA)
As a low-cost, high-grade nickel producer Western Areas presents as a company that has been oversold based on sentiment rather than substance. Management has confirmed that the company can continue to generate free cash flow and pay dividends at current nickel prices.
Reviews and tests
Hot Stocks 2013
As fears of a financial armageddon recede, the market is riding high on a wave of liquidity. Patrick Commins reports on the 24 companies our experts predict will sizzle through the year.
Rebaters provide happy returns
You don’t have to sit back and watch while commissions are paid to an adviser or broker who’s just a distant memory. Our eye-opening annual study of commission rebate schemes shows just how much of that cash can be yours.
Brace yourself with extras cover
Dental work and other health services can cost an arm and a leg if you don’t have health insurance. Penny Pryor gets her teeth into the best combined policies.
23 rock solid stocks
Companies that maintain strong, stable earnings regardless of economic tremors are the ones you want in your portfolio. Patrick Commins reviews 23 businesses made of granite.
Stock price lookup
Columns
Shorten, Swan shake up super
Ending a long week of speculation, Treasurer Wayne Swan and Superannuation Minister Bill Shorten have announced big changes to the superannuation system.
More Australians are now defined as ‘wealthy’
Smart, risk averse and getting richer. That’s the picture of Australian wealth emerging from a comprehensive survey of more than 3000 active investors by research house Investment Trends.
Is it time to buy as gold loses its lustre?
After soaring for a decade, gold prices have suffered a correction that has led to institutional and private investors asking if the party is over.
Investors attracted to Westfield’s growth plans
Westfield’s long-term commitment to growth as a way to add value has paid dividends, but there have been challenges, particularly since its restructure.
Small caps | Beyond International and CTI Logistics
While there are definite pitfalls in investing in an infrequently traded stocks, there can also be substantial benefits. Making these companies more attractive is the fact that senior management often owns a substantial stake, an added incentive for them to maximise shareholder returns.
Suncorp issues first Basel III-compliant hybrid
Suncorp is issuing subordinated notes that are creating more interest than usual as they will be the first fully compliant Basel III subordinated notes to be listed on the Australian Stock Exchange.
