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Edition 10

12 April 2013

Welcome from Chris Cuffe

Although the media and politicians would have us believe that superannuation and retirement planning are the most important financial problems at the moment, it’s really the high level of global government debt.

Concerns about the potential defaults of Greece, Ireland, Spain and Italy weighed heavily on the market from 2010 to mid-2012, but investors have been more forgiving in the last six months. Sharemarkets briefly worried about Cyprus and then a few days later, Wall Street hit another all-time high. But the sovereign debts in Europe, Japan and the United States are the most pressing problem for central bankers to address.

Both Ashley Owen and I focus on debt this week, specifically on understanding what debts we should think about, and how they are measured. Ashley examines over a hundred years of government borrowing, especially in the United States, and highlights that the current events are not unique, or even large in an historical sense. Markets have always found a turning point and a way forward, albeit with some pain along the journey.

The United Nations Principles for Responsible Investing (PRI) initiative now has almost 1200 signatories managing assets worth USD34 trillion globally, including 125 in Australia. In her new role as Managing Director, Fiona Reynolds gives us insights into where she wants responsible investing to develop.

Graham Hand takes a look at the merits of Listed Investment Companies (LICs), especially when they are trading at a discount to net tangible assets, while Rick Cosier tries to unravel the mysteries of residential property auctions and price reporting. As the largest asset class in Australia and a growing focus for superannuation, accurate information is vital for informed investment decisions. And with all the attention on last week’s proposed changes to superannuation regulations, Ramani Venkatramani takes a look at issues that need clarifying.

Chris

Latest posts from Cuffelinks, 12 April 2013, Edition 10

Until debt do us part, Act 1 Chris Cuffe
Until debt do us part, Act 2 Ashley Owen
UNPRI ready to go to the next level Fiona Reynolds
Consider a LIC before you bite into equities Graham Hand
Price statistics in the (un)real estate market Rick Cosier

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