Psychology professor, Tim Kasser, consistently finds that individuals who overweight materialistic outcomes will usually experience lower levels of well-being, happiness, life satisfaction, and self-esteem. Worse, he finds these people have increased anxiety, depression, and interpersonal difficulties…
Superannuation: Inertia & Urgency
Partly due to constant media focus on short-term performance, more people these days are concerned about their superannuation. There is a sense of urgency for some investors, who, feeling the need to "catch up" later in life, have sought out better returns. Unfortunately, this has very sadly led some people into risky investments, and they have been caught in the recent failures of funds like First Guardian and Shield Master Fund.
2025 Q2 June Quarter Review
Tariffs hit hard initially, but stockmarkets bounce hard.
Tariffs create some distortion as US business pulls forward orders.
Euro and UK economies still sluggish, but increased defense spending on the way.
A political backlash in the UK, with both major parties on the nose.
Australian government keeps its foot on housing demand, while missing supply targets.
Commonwealth Bank hits record highs during Q2.
The $3 Million Question
2025 Q1 March Quarter Review
Early tariff concerns prompt a stock rotation from the US to Europe.
The Magnificent Seven come off the boil as Chinese AI emerges as a threat.
Increased defence spending coming in Germany and Japan?
The UK stuck in a low growth environment.
Australian stocks down, with few green sectors.
Australian real estate up slightly to hit record highs.
2024 Q3 September Quarter Review
The US Fed moves on rates.
Brief chaos in Japanese market highlights value of long term thinking.
Global and Australian stock gains, with bonds offering good returns.
Strong returns across many sectors, while tech struggles on AI questions.
Australian real estate beginning to ease up with quarterly falls in some capitals.
How to Price Risk
2024 Q2 June Quarter Review
Points of Note:
The US economy continues to be resilient while Europe sees rate cuts.
Slightly negative market returns in Australia.
Positive global returns, but Australian dollar a headwind for unhedged investors.
Market rally narrows back to big tech names.
Australian real estate still strong, but Melbourne & Hobart lag.
Where there's a Will, but not a Way - PART 1
No Country for Old Stock Pickers
In the past, active managers have called index funds lazy, communist, and even evil - a reflection of their frustration as they raged against more and more money flowing to passive strategies at their expense. So what's their future now that the amount of assets managed by passive funds has overtaken those overseen by active funds?