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Andrew Hobbs

This Month

US President Donald Trump went to his golf course in Florida on Friday as the financial markets collapsed after his new tariffs.

4 ways investors can play the tariff ‘Trumpastrophe’

Retail investors should do these four things as markets tank; from $4.90 Sharpies to $US1 million a head dinners, Donald Trump’s family made a mint last week; Elon Musk splits from Trump on tariffs. See how the day unfolded.

For a second year in a row, active managers in Australian fixed-income investments outperformed the passive benchmark in 2024.

Passive investors are smashing active ones – except in one key area

One of the fastest-growing asset classes in Australia is also a rare happy place for active managers. We explain why.

4 charts reveal whether to cash out as markets tank

Warren Buffett, Li Ka-shing and Chanticleer emeritus Tony Boyd cashed up before Donald Trump roiled markets. Did they do the right thing?

March

There are nine types of investor. Which are you?

This 5-minute test promises to make you a better investor

It’s never been easier to get a “money personality” assessment that offers to unlock your personal investing secrets. But is there any science to it?

Canva’s Cliff Orbrecht (left), Cameron Adams and Melanie Perkins.

You don’t need a family office to buy shares in unicorns

For as little as $8000, investors can buy stock in unlisted tech superstars like Airwallex on a market that, at first glance, looks and feels a lot like a public market. Is Canva next?

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Donald Trump has been fortunate to start with an obedient Congress, America’s first branch of government.

Trump advisers backpedal on tariffs before ‘Liberation Day’

The “reciprocal” tariffs may not be as bad as markets expect; coalition will cap public service at post-COVID level; Donald Trump “touched” by Vladimir Putin commissioning a portrait of him. See how the day unfolded.

Joseph Evans and the electric car that powers his winery.

How to power your home with your EV (and save $30,000)

A South Australian winery that’s almost entirely powered by the sun and two Nissan Leafs gives a glimpse of what a low-cost, green energy future looks like.

This key index is flashing a clear US recession warning

The Russell 2000 index of smaller companies is bearing the brunt of Donald Trump; Vanuatu on US banning list; tariffs on Australian beef would push up McDonald’s prices. See how the day unfolded here.

What to do when disaster strikes your holiday house

While loss or damage to a beloved family retreat may not be as wrenching as a hit on your main home, the process of getting it fixed has challenges that can be equally infuriating, baffling and stressful.

Residents wade through flood waters from ex-tropical cyclone Alfred in Tingalpa on Brisbane’s Eastside on Monday.

The $400,000 gap putting Alfred victims on notice

Widespread underpayments by insurance companies in the 2022 Victorian floods mean claimants should look carefully at what their insurer first offers.

Flash flooding in Hervey Bay, 700mm rain forecast

Footage shows severe flash flooding in Hervey Bay with more rain forecast; campuses stay closed; airlines resume flights after Alfred passes. How the day unfolded.

Warren Buffett’s Berkshire Hathaway famously doesn’t pay dividends. But it owns companies that do.

Dividend investing isn’t dead. These 4 charts and 8 stocks prove it

Dividend yields have plunged, putting a beloved investment strategy in danger. But four charts show that Warren Buffett and the dividend critics may be wrong.

Hostplus chief executive David Elia (far right) says Blackstone is investing in Australia partly due to local superannuation funds being open to deploy capital overseas.

Directors ‘overwhelmed’ by compliance burden

Company say their own regulatory and compliance burdens are too high, and corporate governance principles should be related to allow more risk-taking.

Volodymyr Zelensky and Donald Trump.

NATO could be in its last days, former commander warns

Should you support a democracy or a dictator, asks the former NATO commander; Jim Chalmers wants election fought on economy; Trump insider warns UK against extraditing Andrew Tate. Here’s how the day unfolded.

February

Investors can buy into private capital funds for as little as $2000.

Why ASIC is suddenly uneasy about your retirement savings

The corporate regulator just released its first major look at “opaque” private markets. This is what we learned.

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What should you invest your super in right now?

After big gains in the equity market last year, the chances are your assets need to be rebalanced.

Warren Buffett, chairman and CEO of Berkshire Hathaway

Buffett to increase his bet on Japan’s trading houses

The billionaire will be allowed to increase his stake in the trading houses above 10 per cent; Elon Musk threatens all federal workers with the sack; Jim Chalmers flies to Washington. See how the day unfolded here.

Home bias “generally leads to suboptimal levels of investment diversification”. 

Does your SMSF have these serious weaknesses?

The surge in value of Wall Street’s mega cap tech stocks has been fantastic for many superannuation investors, but not for SMSFs.

More than 1 million people are missing out on thousands of dollars a year in benefits from the Commonwealth Seniors Heath Card because they may not know they are eligible.

1 million retirees are missing out on this $60,000 perk

Changes in eligibility rules mean that more than 1 million people are entitled to the Commonwealth Seniors Health Card but do not claim it.

Guantanamo Bay’s Camp Delta.

US to fly illegal migrants to Guantanamo Bay

The first planeload of illegal immigrants will land in the notorious prison on Tuesday; Michaelia Cash emphasises Peter Dutton’s strength over his likeability; Elliott swoops on BP. Here’s how the day unfolded.

Original URL: https://www.afr.com/by/andrew-hobbs-p4yvj9