Many (maybe most) investors are looking for the perfect investment portfolio – the ideal mix of investment assets that will lead to outsized gains, and low volatility, over an extended timeframe. There are many, many factors to consider in designing…
Term deposits: what if you need your money in a hurry?
Despite bank interest rates for savings being at historically low levels, term deposits remain popular investments for the defensive part of an investment portfolio. I also support the use of term deposits; in the current environment of low, but gradually…
2017 – a stellar year
Well, 2017 was, broadly speaking, a stellar year for investment markets – local and global, developed and emerging. As a relatively new business, I have set up a benchmark portfolio, which I track and report on regularly. While this portfolio…
To hedge or not to hedge?
That is the question. What am I talking about? I’m talking about whether or not the offshore investment assets you hold should be insured (or hedged) against a rise in the value of the New Zealand dollar. Your hedging strategy…
Active v Passive – which is better?
There is huge debate within investment circles as to what is the best long term strategy for superior returns: an active strategy, where an investment manager picks securities which s/he hopes will outperform the market, or a passive strategy which…
International shares – not always taxed the same
For most investors, owning a healthy allocation of international shares is a wise investment decision. Offshore markets provide access to sectors not well represented in the NZ market (technology and pharmaceutical companies are good examples), offer geographic diversity, and exposure…
Enjoy the fruits of your labour
There are undoubtedly some challenges from transitioning from working for a living to being retired. The challenge most often highlighted is how an individual deals with moving from (usually) paid employment which comes with a busy work day, deadlines and…
Spending in retirement
How much do retirees in New Zealand actually spend, and on what? Dr Claire Matthews from Massey University publishes the Retirement Expenditure Guidelines, now in its 4th iteration. The Retirement Expenditure Guidelines surveys actual spending by retired households in New…
Investment Outlook
We’re roughly half way through the year (how did that happen so fast?), and the shortest day is now behind us. What is the latest outlook for investment markets? New Zealand cash and fixed interest Most economic forecasters anticipate long…
Generating income in retirement
One of the biggest challenges faced by the newly-retired is how to generate a regular income stream from their investment assets, and to make sure the money lasts as long as they do! There are of course many ways to…