News, updates and perspectives on managed accounts
Market Monitor – Nov 2023 Australian share market has gone nowhere for 16 years? Is it ‘broken’? Has it lost its mojo?
"The All Ordinaries index hit a peaked of 6,853 on 1 November 2007, but it is barely above that 16 years later. Why?Is the local share market in terminal decline?...
Australia’s bounty – 400 years of exports. Is it just ‘luck’? Or masterful ability to adapt and pivot? Will our commodities bounty run out one day?
"Commodities matter! Raw commodities exports made, and continue to make, Australia the richest country per capita on earth. More than half of the 2,200+ companies listed on the ASX are...
Market Monitor – October 2023 wrap-up: Central banks not done yet with rate hikes, military tensions rise
"Welcome to the Monthly Market Monitor for October 2023. First, here is our quick snapshot of Australian and US share markets, short- and long-term interest rates, inflation, and the AUD...
Australia -vs- rest of the world on Inflation & Interest rates
"The RBA is lagging has more work to do! In Sept 23 quarterly inflation rose from 0.8% to 1.2%, but cash rate's been sitting at 4.1% since June 23, after...
Update October 2023: Three quarter time score check: 2023 a low-scoring year
"Despite constant doom and gloom in the media headlines this year, most asset classes are ahead in 2023, and most are ahead of inflation", says Ashley Owen
Allocating to property and infrastructure
William Morgan (Atrium Investment Management) and Matt Swieconek (Findex) share their thoughts on using illiquid assets, such as property and infrastructure, as part of an allocation within a portfolio.
Infrastructure: A pathway of growth and returns
Infrastructure — both listed and unlisted — is well positioned to tap into emerging investment themes and opportunities, says Justin Lannen (Maple-Brown Abbott) and Mark Murray (Mercer).
Sound fundamentals of property
Although there are challenges for the property sector over the short-term, both Damon Mumford (Dexus) and Mary Power (JANA Investment Advisers) believe the fundamentals for the Australian market are sound
Infrastructure: The risk/reward pay off
Nick Schoenmaker (Drummond Capital Partners), Rob da Silva (da Silva Consulting), Rafio Khan (Innova Asset Management), and Nick Langley (ClearBridge Investments) discuss the opportunities available to investors with infrastructure
Positioning portfolios for inflation
With inflation back in the headlines, Dr Isaac Poole (Oreana Portfolio Advisory), Jeff Mitchell (Infocus Securities), and Wayne Chatterjee (Morgan Stanley) discuss how to position portfolios in an inflationary environment.
Do alternatives still have a key role in portfolios?
Is there value in private markets and how do you incorporate them into portfolios? Jonathan Ramsay (InvestSense), Steven Tang (Zenith Investment Partners), and Jason Horn (BlackRock) provide their perspectives on...
Property strategies in challenging times
Mary Power (JANA Investment Advisers), Louis Christopher (SQM Research), and Damon Mumford (Dexus) provide their views on the property market, including the implications of offshore trends for Australia.
International equities: Do they remain a key driver of returns?
Can global equities continue to outperform, & which countries and sectors provide attractive opportunities for investors? Monik Kotecha (Insync Funds Management), Rob Makdissi (Akambo), Ashley Owen (Owen Analytics), and Dominic...
‘Frankly my dear . . . we need to include Franking Credits in reporting and portfolio planning’ Here’s what they’re worth
"Franking credits on dividends on Australian shares can add more than 1% per year to returns for Australian shareholders," says Ashley Owen, "but many professionals don’t include the value of...
Fixed interest: Are bonds the key to portfolios again?
Chris West (Context Capital), Michael Frearson (Real Asset Management), Chris Lioutas (Insight Investment Consultants), and Tim Hext (Pendal Group) provide their outlook for fixed interest over the next 12 months.
Australian equities: Is the market too optimistic?
The outlook for Australian equities is looking positive. David Wanis (Longwave Capital), Peter Bell (Bellmont Securities), Hamish Tadgell (SG Hiscock), & Andrew Garrett (Perpetual) provide their thoughts on the key...
Illiquid assets: Selection and strategies
What are the benefits of illiquid assets and how do you access them? discussed by Daniel Choo (Russell Investments), Matthew Swieconek (Findex), and Ryan Synnot (Arrow Private Wealth) at the...
Structuring the defensive part of the portfolio
Brendan Paul (Atrium Investment Management), David Berthon-Jones (Aequitas Investment Partners), and Michael Frearson (Real Asset Management) explain their approaches to constructing the defensive part of the portfolio at the 2023...
Structuring the growth part of the portfolio
Victor Huang (Milliman), Geoff Greetham (Accordius) & Dermot Ryan (Renaissance Asset Management) discuss key elements to consider when structuring the growth part of a portfolio during their session at the...
The BIG picture – China builds another ‘Sydney CBD’ every 3 days – with our rocks!
"The 20-year Chinese property construction boom is over, but I’m still bullish on Aussie exports to China continuing to grow", says Ashley Owen
North extends investment menu with new functionality for advisers & their clients
North, one of Australia’s leading wrap investment platforms, has strengthened the breadth of its client offer with the addition of 6 new managed portfolios from global investment manager BlackRock. says...
Aussie retirement funds have the highest ‘growth/defensive’ asset mix in the world – Does this mean they are highest risk?
"Aussie retirement funds have the highest ‘growth/defensive’ asset mix in the world – does this mean they are highest risk? What is the best or ideal asset allocation for long...
IMAP announces that Managed Account FUM reaches $161.7 bn as at 30 June 2023
IMAP jointly with Milliman reports that the latest Managed Accounts market data shows a total of $161.7 bn FUM for balance date 30 June 2023 in its 6 monthly long...
Market Monitor – end August 2023: 'Sticky inflation' + 'What’s keeping the AUD down'
"It's a confused picture this month with share markets lower across the board from profit taking, interest rate hikes slowing, inflation receding, central bankers warnings,and bond yields flat in most...
Last time we had an inflation-busting rate-hike recession – shares surged! This Time is Different - or is it?
"Nothing scares investors more than news of a ‘recession!’ But why? Recessions have mostly been good for Australian shares!" says Ashley Owen, "Contrary to the popular myth that recessions are...
Higher inflation equals lower real returns on all assets
"Higher inflation in future means lower nominal (headline) returns on asset classes & portfolios, and lower real (inflation-adjusted) returns. A big change from the past 30 years", says Ashley Owen
Where are We Now? – US profits: recession or rebound?
"The US is still critically important to the overall global picture as US companies make up 60% of the global stock market value. Are the latest US profits allowing for...
Where Are We Now? – Global profits: recession or rebound?
While media headlines warn of possible global recessions ahead, global profits are booming! There appear to be no obvious signs of impending recession in the latest profit results, or profit...
North’s managed portfolio AUM passes $11 billion as investment menu expands
North, one of Australia’s leading wrap investment platforms, has seen its managed portfolio range become the fastest growing in the market after it surpassed $11 billion in assets under management...
The BIG picture – Chinese steel production – the ‘Sydney Harbour Bridge’ index
"If I had to pick a single number that drives Australia’s economic growth, income, wealth, living standards, and overall investment returns so far this century - it would be: China’s...
Differentiating your advice service
Andrew Mathie (Praemium) reveals key insights from Praemium’s latest research to explain why using managed accounts can help differentiate an advice service
Talking ESG to clients
With interest and growth in ESG investing showing no signs of abating, Jessica Harris - Financial Adviser (MGD Wealth) explains her approach when talking to clients about this style of...
Earning tomorrow’s clients
Advisers are increasingly recognising that the rules around investing don’t apply to the next generation of clients, so to attract the next generation of clients, advisers will need to rethink...
Market Monitor – Nov 2023 Australian share market has gone nowhere for 16 years? Is it ‘broken’? Has it lost its mojo?
"The All Ordinaries index hit a peaked of 6,853 on 1 November 2007, but it is barely above that 16 years later. Why?Is the local share market in terminal decline?...
Australia’s bounty – 400 years of exports. Is it just ‘luck’? Or masterful ability to adapt and pivot? Will our commodities bounty run out one day?
"Commodities matter! Raw commodities exports made, and continue to make, Australia the richest country per capita on earth. More than half of the 2,200+ companies listed on the ASX are...
Market Monitor – October 2023 wrap-up: Central banks not done yet with rate hikes, military tensions rise
"Welcome to the Monthly Market Monitor for October 2023. First, here is our quick snapshot of Australian and US share markets, short- and long-term interest rates, inflation, and the AUD...
Australia -vs- rest of the world on Inflation & Interest rates
"The RBA is lagging has more work to do! In Sept 23 quarterly inflation rose from 0.8% to 1.2%, but cash rate's been sitting at 4.1% since June 23, after...
Update October 2023: Three quarter time score check: 2023 a low-scoring year
"Despite constant doom and gloom in the media headlines this year, most asset classes are ahead in 2023, and most are ahead of inflation", says Ashley Owen
Allocating to property and infrastructure
William Morgan (Atrium Investment Management) and Matt Swieconek (Findex) share their thoughts on using illiquid assets, such as property and infrastructure, as part of an allocation within a portfolio.
