For an entire generation of investors, the market has been underpinned by falling rates, increasing leverage, and relative geopolitical stability. But today all those tailwinds are becoming headwinds. Adrian Warner, Managing Director and CIO of Avenir Capital lays out the challenge ahead and a strategy to tackle it. Show More
When it comes to investing, Australians forego their ‘globetrotter’ reputation and rarely look past local companies. In consumption, however, we are far worldlier and have embraced international brands such as Apple, Samsung, Google, BP and Toyota. Show More
After being range bound and unable to break through the key US $1,300oz level since Nov 2016, gold has staged a sharp rally overnight on the back of heightened tensions on the Korean Peninsula. Show More
When asked which black swan was most likely to unsettle markets, particularly given how low volatility is, Ben Griffiths highlighted North Korea as being the one to watch. Fast-forward two weeks to today, and it seems to be unfolding as we speak. Show More
There continues to be evidence to support the Jamieson Coote Bonds team's thesis that investors should be re-assessing their portfolio construction and risk allocations to avoid unintended heightened bank/financial related exposure. JCB's approach is one that diversifies investors away from such exposures whilst providing a cornerstone defensive portfolio allocation. These... Show More
When President Trump ordered the launching of 59 Tomahawk cruise missiles against a Syrian airbase on Friday, it sent the share prices of defence contractors higher. The Tomahawk cruise missiles, for example, are manufactured by Raytheon and sell for about US$1 million each. Show More
Countless thousands of words have been written over the last six days about the investment implications of the new American President. The consensus seems to be it’s all over for bond proxies like REITs, infrastructure stocks, utilities and Telstra now the Trump reflationary trade is pushing bond yields higher and... Show More
Russia is ordering all of its officials to fly any relatives home who are living abroad amid heightened tensions over the prospect of global war, it has been claimed. Former Soviet leader Mikhail Gorbachev has also warned that the world is at a 'dangerous point' due to rising tensions between... Show More
The 8 November US Presidential election is looming as a significant event for investors (and the world) given the “policies” of Republican candidate Donald Trump. The smoothest outcome for investors would be a Clinton victory but Republicans continuing to control the House of Representatives, i.e., more of the same. But... Show More
Donald Trump in the US, Brexit and UKIP in Britain, the Five Star Movement in Italy, and Podemos in Spain; around the developed world there appears to be a wave of political instability and populism. Though the prospect of a hung Parliament is no longer a risk in Australia, the... Show More
As with Brexit, the fallout from the political gridlock will play out most noticeably in currency markets, particularly if S&P lowers our credit rating. The election result ensures the Australian dollar trades back below 70 cents in the medium-term. Australian companies operating offshore will benefit from this of course, but... Show More
There is little doubt that political uncertainty will dent confidence at least to some extent. Economic growth globally has been stuck in slow gear since 2012, and central bankers have been pleading for reform and fiscal leadership which in the current political situation is unlikely to come to complement the... Show More
There are two areas of concern here; global and domestic political uncertainty. On a global level there is large political uncertainty in the UK and following close behind is the U.S. The UK has selected a new Prime Minister, but uncertainty remains following the Brexit leave vote and the associated... Show More
What do the success of Donald Trump and Bernie Sanders in the US Presidential campaign, the close Brexit vote on Britain’s membership of the European Union and the Australian election have in common? They all signal some shift towards populism and support for more left-wing policies in the electorate. If... Show More
Al Clark, Nikko Asset Management's Global Head of Multi-Asset discusses why he sees further rebalancing ahead in 2016. He explores what he calls ‘the Equity Paradox’ – despite earnings growth being poor, equities keep pushing higher on the back of central bank policy. In addition, he covers the increasing importance... Show More
How do we explain Donald Trump’s rise, the risk of a Brexit, the fact that Marie Le Pen stands a good chance of becoming France's next president, and the general situation of a political world in which all incumbents appear ready to be knocked off their stools? Simple, Dr. Watson!... Show More
