Perpetual’s Charlie Lanchester on the next big thing
The secret to one of Australia’s longest-running investment strategies is to avoid the ups and downs of commodity prices and focus on quality businesses with sound management and balance sheets. Perpetual’s deputy head of equities outlines some of the stocks that make the grade in its WealthFocus Industrial Share Fund.
Rules of the road for CFDs
Contracts for difference are powerful instruments that can be a force for good or ill. Chris Wright outlines the 10 things you need to know to stay in control. Because, although for a given amount of money, you can get 10, 20, even 50 times the exposure, you can also lose 10, 20, or 50 times as much if you get it wrong.
Stocks that wow the crowds
Smaller investors definitely have their favourites. We take a look at the top 25 ‘mum and dad’ stocks, which as a group have outperformed the market over the past 12 months.
Help when you need it most
Making decisions on getting a family member into aged care can drain you not just emotionally but financially. Here is what you need to know – plus a few new strategies – to ensure you get the best outcome for the smallest cost.
Telstra CEO David Thodey in the hot seat
Telstra chief executive David Thodey says the telecom giant’s commitment to its customers is part of a strategy to make Australians proud of the company and its achievements.
Insure your insurance
It sounds good: lock in higher income protection or trauma insurance premiums now and reap rewards later. But are so-called ‘level’ premiums really advisable?
Letter of the month
After the birth of a second child, life and income protection insurance become a greater concern.
How we are wired to spend
Can’t resist impulse buying with the plastic? Blame your brain.
Surplus to requirements
There are ways to lessen the pain of being told you’re not needed at work. A key factor is the timing of any payout, which can turn the misfortune of redundancy into a windfall opportunity. For those who know they are being made redundant this year and who have a choice as to whether they take it before or after the end of the financial year, there is one such golden opportunity – it’s about making use of a tax loophole.
Round table: Flight to SMSFs
Professional money managers failed to protect our assets from the global financial crisis so there’s a stampede of investors sacking them and going it alone. An estimated 620 self-managed super funds are being set up each week and the sector now accounts for a full third of Australia’s superannuation balance. It’s true no one cares more about your money than you do. But does that mean you’ll be better than anyone else at managing it? An expert panel discusses the pros and cons of doing it yourself.
Go along for the ride
Sharing a financial adviser has been the driving force behind a bunch of friends enjoying life on easy street.
Up to speed
How to secure your own rate cuts
Investors should deal directly with their lenders to try to reduce the interest they pay while official rates remain on hold.
Repricing rancour
The decision by some banks not to pass on the full RBA rate cut to customers has a big impact on their bottom line.
Two businesses drop off, one joins
Eight months ago we devised a comprehensive screen to identify a small number of companies which we could endow with the Smart Foundation tick of approval – and this month we welcome a newcomer.
Investors help themselves
Self-managed superannuation funds continue to be a booming part of the super industry and account for a third of total super funds under management.
Your say on buying power
Our survey results reveal equities are a far more popular investment than property. Savvy investors should, and obviously, do know that the time to buy is when everybody else is fearful, like now, and the time to sell is when everyone else is being greedy.
Why we need FoFA
The Future of Financial Advice reforms are currently being considered by a Senate committee and it should come as no surprise that some of the largest finanial planning firms are complaining loudest.
Snapshot
Tigers Realm
Tigers Realm is exploring early-stage coal projects close to the Pacific coast in eastern Russia, notably Amaam where it can win 80 per cent.
Treasury Wine Estates
The wine company that was spun out of Foster’s Group has faced challenging conditions since listing on the ASX, and endured speculation that it is takeover fodder.
Westfield Group
Rated by many as the best bet in a sector facing harsh conditions as consumers become more frugal and turn to online shopping. Exposure to international assets is a bonus.
Peet
Peet’s share price has plunged amid weak housing market sentiment and a more than 50 per cent cut to its 2012 profit forecast. Balance sheet issues are also a concern for analysts.
The Reject Shop
The Reject Shop is coming out of a tough 2011, made harder by flooding that damaged a key distribution centre. It remains on track for growth, however, in both sales and store numbers.
Ridley Corporation
The company’s earnings have come under pressure as feed prices soften. But Ridley has an appealing longer term story with a sizeable land bank and could also be a takeover target.
Reviews and tests
State of the property market
Booming housing costs are a thing of the past, so buying the right property for the right amount is now an even more important decision. We take a look at the prospects for hot spots during the coming year and drill down into the outlook for the top areas in every state.
Stock test: the Smart Foundation tick of approval
Read about the 17 companies that passed our robust quantitative examination.
Survey part 2: best health fund extras packages
Health funds | It pays to look at the complete offering when selecting a private fund to belong to. We explain why in Part 2 of Financial Review Smart Investor’s annual health fund survey.
Survey part 1: How to find the best health insurance
Health funds | Private hospital insurance is not just expensive but often confusing. We give you some tips on how to shop around for the best deal in Part 1 of our annual health fund survey.
Supplements
Online trading - the complete guide
Build a winning portfolio
The complete guide to selecting a mix of assets to suit your goals. Get tips on gauging risk, styles of funds, property trends and more.
Share investing
The complete guide: the basics, choosing shares, asset allocation
Global investing
Online brokers - Forex trading - Managed funds vs ETFs - CFDs
I love DIY
Your guide to self-managed super funds
Set for life
Smart moves and tactics - at every age - to retire well.
Stock price lookup
Columns
Your debt exit plan
We Aussies love our property but few of us consider how we’re going to get our money out. And in the bid to turn a portfolio into prosperity, few are using the best strategies.
Back from the brink
The euro zone may have received enough aid to get it through the next couple of years, but if the region can’t get it together, the currency could still be a casualty.
Heavy weather ahead, Westpac
Australian banks have fared better than their foreign peers, but there are risks in relying on the volatile commercial property lending business for growth.
DuluxGroup | Paint it Black
Dulux has been able to brush off a subdued economy because of its steady focus on home maintenance. It is also well positioned in a robust industry sector.
It may be time to buy and hope
In times of global uncertainty, it’s tempting to switch to defensive stocks, but it makes sense for investors to keep some exposure to growth assets.
Sitting on a goldmine
The outlook for the precious metal is improving as analysts predict ongoing upside in share prices of companies in the sector that consolidated to drive growth.
Bonds backfire on banks
State governments and banks re finding it more expensive to raise funds as credit spreads go through the roof but that offers investors a good yield on a safer deal.
Pension is a no-brainer
For those who are eligible, there are significant tax benefits in having most of your super funds in a pension. Tax can also be reduced with a recontribution strategy.
