Featured
Macquarie’s monster pay, and why big profits left bank investors angry
In this week’s episode, James Thomson and Anthony Macdonald dive into Macquarie Group’s $5.2 billion profit, dissect a big week for bank earnings, and give their tips for budget surprises.
Where four experts would invest $10,000 if they were 25 years old
The future is uncertain, but four experts share how they would deal with it if they were 25.
Bonds v stocks: which market is calling it right?
There is an unresolved tension between bond and equity markets about when a recession will occur and how severe it will be. Can their forecasts co-exist?
Fund managers ‘excited’ about the end of cheap money
Investors from the Future Fund to hedge fund GMO are preparing for a stock-pickers markets as interest rates near their peak in the cycle.
AI stocks, panic buying and why short sellers obsess over the number 4
In this week’s episode, James Thomson and Anthony Macdonald pull out the best bits of AFR’s investing summit, including top stock tips and the biggest red flags that short sellers look for.
April 2023
Fans of risky assets ‘living in a parallel universe’
A world where interest rates remain high – and will potentially increase again – is bad for share prices.
Part-timers might not make RBA ‘fit for purpose’
James Aitken said the appointment of six part-timers to the Reserve Bank’s proposed monetary policy board might make it harder to attract the best candidates.
Ten investment ideas for choppy markets
The Alpha Live conference provided a plethora of ideas about what investors should buy and what they should avoid. Here are 10 of the best.
Disciplined Virgin boosts Qantas profits: top investor
The tight discipline imposed on Virgin by its new owners is helping Qantas by limiting the availability of flights, a big Qantas investor says.
Australia a ‘ripe hunting ground’ for activist investors
The co-founders of UK firm Snowcap Research say the dislocations of the energy transition mean a step-up in activism is on the way.
‘Sticky’ inflation and weak growth are a trap for markets
Some of the country’s top investors say everything from wage rises to strong business activity will make it harder than expected for rates to fall.
Future Fund outperforms super in March quarter
The result comes as CEO Raphael Arndt warns that equity markets were showing a worrying lack of concern about economic headwinds.
Is this the dawn of the age of active investing?
Active fund managers have a spring in their step again, but this environment is going to test their skill.
Value investors set for a ‘stupendous decade’: Rob Arnott
The founder of Research Affiliates warned inflation is unlikely to recede quickly, setting up a positive environment for value stocks to outperform.
Short-sellers reveal their red flags
After a period where fundamentals have been overlooked in favour of a bullish story, the market is throwing up some short-selling opportunities.
Buy gold to hedge against complacent shares: First Eagle’s McLennan
The Wall Street portfolio manager also nominated the energy sector as a potential hedge despite the transition away from fossil fuels.
Five risks your portfolio isn’t ready for – and what to do about them
The Alpha Live Summit exposed major changes in the investing environment. Some of the country’s top investors share their advice on what’s possibly coming and how to reshape your stock holdings.
‘Inflation is staying high and staying sticky’: Future Fund boss
Raphael Arndt told The Australian Financial Review Alpha Live conference that equity markets are showing a worrying lack of concern about economic headwinds and investors may want to “dial down” their exposure.
Future Fund ready to embrace stock picking again
Six years after it fired all its active equity managers, the Future Fund is looking for stock pickers with true skill to navigate a world where fundamentals matter again.
How a US investor with Macquarie links revived Port of Geelong deal
It’s a big moment for Stonepeak in Australia having kicked tyres on a handful of assets in the past couple of years in a bid to strike its first local investment.
Equities sales teams shine as deal-making slows; banks vie for staff
A slowdown in deal-making and an increase in volatility is helping to bring equities sales – not often the glamour team of the global banks – to the fore, with a string of moves at the local branches of Wall Street giants.
Bond investors give up on RBA rate rise next week
While the CPI data confirmed inflation is past its peak, economists, unlike the bond market, say the central bank could still raise rates next week.
Bellwether Singapore warns of poor global outlook
The Monetary Authority of Singapore expects growth in most regions to be below trend or even negative in the coming quarters.
Know your biases? Take our test to see how they’ll cost you
GMO’s head of asset allocation, James Montier, says understanding how humans make decisions can help investors avoid common traps.
Business activity bolsters case for higher interest rates
A surprise acceleration in the services sector around the world underscores the risk that rates will stay higher for longer.