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22 January 2025
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Fund managers are commonly using algorithms to derive and implement their investment strategies, and investors should be looking behind and beyond the computer code to understand the inputs.
Active managers trade more often and in larger amounts than passive managers do. Costs incurred from trading, in aggregate, can be substantial and ought to be considered in the decision to use active strategies.
It’s worth deciphering how active 'active managers' are, whether their outperformance is sustainable, whether they cancel each other out and whether they are true to label. Know what you're paying for.
Passive investing typically incurs less tax than active investing but should be made even more tax-effective by using losses in the portfolio to offset taxable capital gains.
Large super funds have been successful in delivering strong investment returns, but the changing nature of the sector means more investment innovation is necessary for continuing long-term success.
Is the tax payable on your investment earnings eroding returns unnecessarily? Changes to the way fund managers invest so that tax-effects are part of the investment decision can make a meaningful difference.
This examines the performance of key asset classes and sub-sectors in 2024 and over longer timeframes, and the lessons that can be drawn for constructing an investment portfolio for the next decade.
The outlook for equities in 2025 has been dominated by one question: will the US market's supremacy continue? Whichever side of the debate you sit on, you should challenge yourself by considering the alternative.
Negative gearing allows investors to deduct rental property expenses, including interest, from taxable income, but its tax concession status is debatable. The real issue lies in the favorable tax treatment of capital gains.
Trump's election has turbocharged US equities, but can that outperformance continue? Expensive valuations, rising bond yields, and a potential narrowing of EPS growth versus the rest of the world, are risks.
Untangling assets after a broken relationship can be daunting. But approaching the situation fully informed, in good health and with open communication can make the process more manageable and less costly.
Unlike their peers in the US and UK, policy makers in Australia haven't faced a bond market rebellion in recent times. This could change if current levels of issuance at the state and territory level continue.
Retirement village contracts often require significant upfront payments, with residents losing control over their money. While they may offer a '100% share in capital gain', it's important to look at the numbers before committing.