Like me, you may have noticed retirement villages popping up everywhere around Auckland – there are now 3 within about 1km of where I live (yes, it’s a pretty exciting suburb!) The surge in retirement villages reflects a couple of…
Portfolio Rebalancing
When an investment portfolio is created, it is (or should be) based on the risk appetite and return requirements for that particular investor. For example, an investor approaching retirement may settle on a balanced portfolio of 50% growth assets (equities…
How much is enough?
Thinking about retirement? How much do you need to fund the retirement you would like? If you Google “retirement calculator” you will see there is no shortage of online tools to help work out how much money you need to…
The case for Emerging Markets
Emerging Markets are currently a hot topic in investment circles. After several of years of negative performance, Emerging Markets bounced back to life in 2016 and many are picking the strong performance to continue in 2017 and beyond. But first,…
What’s in store for 2017?
Well, after a couple of weeks of camping, beach, BBQs, and watching too much tennis & cricket, its time to get back to thinking full time about investing. Actually I never fully disengage; I’m always watching what is happening with…
A week in politics
A week is a long time in politics. That has definitely been the case in NZ, with a new PM Bill English and deputy PM Paula Bennett installed following John Key’s shock announcement to step down. The days after Key’s…
Investing your windfall
Sometimes the planets align and through good fortune or good management you receive a large sum of money. If you choose to invest your windfall, what is the best approach to take? Invest all at once, or make smaller investments…
Simplicity KiwiSaver changing the game
This week I had the opportunity to sit down with Sam Stubbs, Managing Director of Simplicity NZ Ltd, who 10 weeks ago launched the Simplicity KiwiSaver Scheme. Simplicity has generated quite some attention in its short 10 week life –…
US Election: Over it.
I’m over the US election. I think many people are. But I couldn’t escape my financial adviser obligation to post a final blog to wrap it all up. President Trump (OK, President Elect Trump). How many people on this side…
Ups and downs … Clinton v Trump
The US election is looming and uncertainty and volatility are the overriding sentiments impacting financial markets in the final days pre-election. At the time of writing the NZ sharemarket has fallen over 11% from its all-time high on September 7. …