December 2024
Five ASX micro-cap stocks fund managers are buying
A miner, a telco and two technology darlings are among the micro-caps stocks fundies have named for 2025.
- Joshua Peach
Fixed income brokers prepare for a ‘gold rush’
A surprise decision by regulators to phase out major bank hybrids has sparked a race to fill the void and meet a growing demand for income.
- Jonathan Shapiro
These are the best performing ETFs in 2024
But the market drivers for exchange-traded funds are forecast to be quite different in 2025.
- Alexandra Cain
Top fundies name their stock picks for 2025
From weapons makers to eye drugs and even Qantas, these are the investment opportunities fundies are watching closely in the new year.
- Lucy Dean
- Opinion
- Investing
The five big questions for investors in 2025
After a couple of strong years, investors are right to wonder what comes next. Much depends on one very unpredictable man.
- James Thomson
So, you want to retire to Tuscany?
The idea of moving to Italy is alluring for retirees – la dolce vita, the food, the wine, the beauty, the prices. Just check these practicalities first.
- Sian Powell
Better returns and lower volatility drive growth in private markets
Strong performance and an opportunity to align investment with social wellbeing has led to increased popularity of the alternatives market.
- Joanne Tran
Cashed-up retail investors eye private markets
Investors are turning to private debt markets to fund commercial projects that also benefit society.
- Nina Hendy
Retail investors invited to the private assets party
Access into private markets is being democratised as retail investors get an invite to the party.
- Nina Hendy
Private markets to boom amid AI and net zero transition
The sector has emerged as a cornerstone of investment strategies as investors chase outsized returns and diversify their portfolios beyond traditional assets.
- Michael Read
How super funds are tapping the private credit boom
The $4 trillion sector is moving past classic unlisted assets to look at private debt, more creative private equity, social infrastructure and energy transition assets.
- Hannah Wootton
November 2024
Revealed: Australia’s fastest-growing companies in 2024
In a tough consumer environment, this year’s Fast 100 and Fast Starters finalists have managed to find their niche.
- Victoria Thieberger
Why this entrepreneur does tech differently
From food to climate, innovators saw problems in the tech sector and took action to make things right.
- Christopher Niesche
The ‘bad habit’ that turned into a $7.5m business opportunity
Using refurbished components to overcome supply shortages for renewables projects turned into a lucrative business.
- Agnes King
- Opinion
- Fast 100
The fast movers’ secret to beating their rivals
The best of the nation’s small companies love their customers and know them well.
- Victoria Thieberger
Trust is the key for this mining recruiter
Launched in the depths of the pandemic, recruitment firm Mergent has grown by 348 per cent to make the Fast Starters List.
- Sian Powell
How a mother-in-law helped keep this ASX miner afloat
Nickel Industries revenues have topped $2.7 billion, but early on some family help was needed to finance this Fast 100 company.
- Prashant Mehra
Meet the frequent flyer fintech targeting a $2.6 trillion market
The fastest growing fintechs in this year’s Fast 100 are an eclectic mix with a common trait: they’ve carved out niches for uniquely Australian audiences.
- Ayesha de Kretser
Meet the lawyer who set up his own cannabis company
A potential career crisis sparked the founder of this medicinal cannabis company, which comes in at No9 on The Australian Financial Review Fast Starters List.
- Richard Pullin
Brisbane military supplier sailing with a tailwind
Being portside ready to stock military ships is a niche sector that takes strategy and sharp negotiation skills to win the race.
- Nina Hendy