The investment landscape is becoming increasingly complex, making it harder to shield portfolios from market volatility. For financial advisers, the old rules of diversification may no longer be enough to protect their clients' wealth. As major economic shifts and new market dynamics take hold, a deeper understanding of what lies "beneath the hood" of a portfolio is more crucial than ever.
Read MoreThe proposal to include unrealised capital gains in calculating income subject to the additional 15% tax rate on super fund balances over $3 million should lead to an effective cap on balances of $3 million. (The additional personal tax involved is referred to in the draft legislation as Division 296 tax liability). If the administrative costs to individuals of complying with this change, and the cash flow problems of making such tax payments, are as large as critics have argued, no one will want to hold assets above $3 million in super.
In that case the deterrent effect of this change will mean that such taxation never needs to be applied. And the mark of a good deterrent is that it is so effective in affecting behaviour that it never needs to be applied. Individuals will transfer assets above $3 million out of super accounts into their personal account.
Read MoreWith property prices rising and demand for housing increasing, many homeowners are exploring the idea of property development, often literally in their own backyards.
Read MoreIf you are unhappy with your superannuation fund or want different services and features, you are free to move to a different superannuation fund.
Read More27 important issues you should address before June 30 to ensure that your SMSF or other super fund are in order, and that you are making the most of the strategies available.
Here we go again. We have only a short time left to the end of the financial year to put our SMSF or other super funds in order and ensure we are making the most of the strategies available to us. Here is a checklist of the most important issues that you should address with your advisers before the year-end.
Read MoreThere weren’t many things I disagreed with in Morgan Housel’s The Psychology of
Money. Here are some top lessons from the book.
It is rare that you read a book and find yourself nodding in agreement with most of the
things an author writes. Yet there I was nodding away while reading The Psychology of
Money by Morgan Housel.
$3 million in a super is a lot – until it isn’t.
The landslide election of the Labor Government in the House of Representatives and the composition of the Senate means that there’s not much standing in the way of the implementation of the extended Division 296 Tax Liability. This includes the taxation of unrealised capital gains in superannuation. Federal Treasurer Jim Chalmers has confirmed that the Party does intend to introduce the stalled bill again.
Read MoreRiding the Waves: Bull vs Bear Markets Explained
Every investor loves a bull market, but bear markets are an unavoidable part of the journey. According to Mercer's Bull & Bear Charts – March 2025 report, understanding how these cycles play out can help investors build resilience, stay calm during downturns, and stay focused on long-term gains.
Let’s break down what this 2025 report reveals about market behavior in Australia and the U.S., and what that means for investors today.
Read MoreHow have the world’s financial markets really performed over the last decade or even three? If you’ve ever wondered whether equities truly beat bonds over time, or how global events have shaped market returns, Mercer’s latest report, Asset Class Performance – March 2025, has some compelling answers.
Read MoreThe March 2025 Mercer Chart Pack presents a landscape where global markets are adjusting to shifting trade dynamics, easing inflation, and evolving monetary policies. Investors face a mix of cautious optimism and persistent headwinds, particularly in equities and real assets.
The March 2025 Mercer Market Review highlighted significant global economic developments and evolving investment conditions. While Australian markets showed modest resilience, global uncertainties — especially related to geopolitical tensions and trade policies — weighed on investor sentiment.
With the Australian market briefly entering correction territory, has it become more attractive?This week’s Chart of the Week comes from Market Strategist Lochlan Halloway’s analysis on whether investors should buy the dip.
The funds that have been rated negative by our analysts have characteristics in common.
Morningstar has conducted research on active and passive investment strategies and their associated vehicles since 1986. Strategies are given a rating – Gold, Silver, Bronze, Neutral or Negative. These ratings are a summary expression of our analysts’ forward-looking analysis of the investment strategies. The top three ratings of Gold, Silver, and Bronze all indicate that our analysts expect the rated investment vehicle to beat the Morningstar Category index or category median over the long term.
Read MoreInvestors continue to navigate a dynamic global financial landscape, with interest rate shifts, economic uncertainty, and historical market trends shaping portfolio decisions. The Mercer Asset Class Performance Report – February 2025 provides a deep dive into market performance over the past decade and beyond, analyzing key events that have impacted asset growth.
Read MoreThe global economic landscape continues to evolve, shaped by shifting interest rates, market fluctuations, and geopolitical events. The Mercer Chart Pack for February 2025 provides a comprehensive analysis of key market trends, economic indicators, and investment opportunities.
In this post, we break down the most important takeaways from the latest data to help investors make informed decisions.
Read MoreAn investment property tax expert runs through what every investment property owner should know. One in five of us own an investment property, with 56.7% of Aussie wealth held in housing (at June 2023). It is an incredibly attractive investment option for many investors due to the capital growth that investors have historically seen in property. This is boosted by favourable tax treatment through policies such as negative gearing and the capital gains discount.
Read MoreThe global financial landscape in February 2025 was marked by shifting monetary policies, trade tensions, and mixed market performances. The Reserve Bank of Australia (RBA) cut interest rates, the U.S. imposed new trade tariffs, and the equity and bond markets experienced fluctuations. Here’s a breakdown of the key developments and their implications for investors
Read MoreDoes the sales pitch for private assets hold up to scrutiny?
Conventional wisdom is a byproduct of groupthink that presents solutions good enough
for the average person while simultaneously not being right for any individual. You
follow it at your peril. The more different you are from the person that defined a rule the
less you should follow the rule. Each Monday I will challenge the investing norms that
just may be holding you back from living the life you want.
Read MoreSuper funds and private assets in the spotlight after ASIC release. On Feb. 26, 2025, the Australian Securities and Investments Commission, or ASIC, released a paper titled “Australia’s evolving capital markets: A discussion paper on the dynamics between public and private markets.” The paper discusses the changing Australian capital markets landscape, focusing on both the rapid growth in the capital allocated to private assets and the influence of Australian superannuation funds on private markets.
Read More