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It’s arguable that raging house prices in some areas across the country have helped to widen wealth disparity between the generations. Young people are acutely feeling their inability to get into the housing market. While those older and well established have seen their equity increase beyond even their own belief – to the point where if they were out of the market they couldn’t afford to buy the home they live in. For some parties it may be a feeling of resentment, while for others it may be a feeling of guilt – parents gifting house deposits or going guarantor…

It seems like a long time since February 10. If you can’t remember it, here are two reminders from the Australian Financial Review: ASX slides into bear territory; 4600 looms ASX succumbs to bear market contagion That was the most recent market bottom. This week the AFR was printing very different headlines: Rally in US brings out the ASX ‘s raging bulls ASX records gains for a sixth straight week If your outlook is long term, or your focus is income, both sets of headlines are equally meaningless. What happens in February 2016 or May 2016 should be regarded as…

Last month in another country, a man we’ll call Jim, watched one of his beloved investments tumble 16% in the space of as many days. Jim’s investment is (or was) ‘beloved’ because he’d attached all sorts of historical and emotional significance to it. The company, Jim told his adviser, was going to change the world. Jim had independently booked his ticket to enjoy the ride with them by investing several hundred thousand dollars of his and his wife’s money. That company was Apple. Not such a bad outfit, but every company can be prone to downgrades, disappointments and eventually failing…

There are three givens when it comes to investing. The first given: if you meet an investor who is looking to try something new, or is restless about their investments, it’s almost inevitable that they’ve recently endured some poor returns. The second given: if you meet an investor who has no intention of changing a thing and is totally comfortable about their investments, it’s almost inevitable they’ve recently enjoyed a run of good returns. The third given: investor one and investor two are certain to be the same person; their investment outlook only depends on the time when you meet…