Financial Planning, Investment & Insurance Solutions

  • Walking into The Spider’s Web

    Walking into The Spider’s Web

    Why do we do the things we do? If only there were simple answers! When it comes to investing, sometimes we have the simple answers. A new study in the Journal of Consumer Behaviour has dug into some of the mindsets and behaviours of investors who have been defrauded. Titled ‘Profiling Victims of Investment Fraud: Mindsets and Risky Behaviors’ (US spelling) a group of known investment fraud victims were compared to a random group of general investors. The idea behind the study was to determine whether fraud victims engage in more risky investment activities that increase their exposure to a…

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  • The Millionaire’s Dilemma

    The Millionaire’s Dilemma

    It’s no secret interest rates are low. Have ten grand in the bank? If you’re lucky with a ‘high interest’ account, at the end of the year you’ll have made $200. That’s before the tax man and inflation come calling. For those with a small amount who can’t get their head around the concept of risk, it’s dire straits. We’re also told there are rough waters if you’ve got a few million. This from a recent article in The Australian (behind a paywall) by a financial adviser. I recently met a new client — a divorcee with two teenage sons…

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  • Pandemics Versus Market Performance

    Pandemics Versus Market Performance

    Cross post via Stewart Group, New Zealand Memories of SARS (Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome), Avian Flu and the Ebola outbreaks are being rekindled with the spread of coronavirus and global stock markets are reacting. It is believed the coronavirus started late last year in a seafood and wildlife market (wet market) in Wuhan, spreading from infected animals to humans. As of February 10, there are 37,592 confirmed cases in 29 countries and there have been 814 deaths and 2,924 recoveries. Last week, the World Health Organisation (WHO) declared coronavirus a global emergency. This kind of emergency declaration typically brings greater money…

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  • Pirate Fund Hits the Rocks

    Pirate Fund Hits the Rocks

    It was an unceremonious occurrence. A few minutes into trading on the third of February 2020 the ASX released a list of companies whose securities had been suspended from trading for an unacceptable period of time. It was removing their listings from the exchange. Why? Various reasons, but most had gone bust. Many were now shells. Devoid of any assets or direction forward. On occasion, dormant shells might be picked up by brokers or corporate advisers. Recapitalised, with a new project dropped in and respruiked to the gullible masses. A market listing can be valuable in some circles, but the…

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  • 2019 December Quarter Review

    2019 December Quarter Review

    Economic Overview The geopolitical risks that dominated for much of 2019 faded in Q4, supporting global share markets. Trade uncertainty faded with the US and China’s phase one trade deal announcement, while economic data remained stable. The trade deal, signed on January 15 means planned new tariffs will not be imposed, while US tariffs imposed in September on $120 billion Chinese goods will be reduced by half. The 25% tariffs on $250 billion of Chinese goods will remain. China also agreed to increase purchases of US goods, with agricultural produce highlighted. The US Federal Reserve cut interest rates once in…

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