Challenges in building portfolios today (and what to do)
The current investment environment is arguably one of the toughest ever in which to build portfolios that deliver return and are robust into the future. There are a range of approaches that can be taken
Dominic McCormick, Select Investment Partners | Opinion

Populists and productivity
The view prevailing in Silicon Valley and other global technology hubs is that we are entering a new golden era of innovation which will radically increase productivity growth. Why haven't those gains appeared?
Nouriel Roubini, Roubini Global Economics | Opinion

Why take an interest in Africa's rise?
'Africa rising' has been a catchphrase since the beginning of this century. It is the idea that Africa, and especially Sub-Saharan Africa, could be to the 21st century what South-East Asia was to the second half of the 20th century.
Dr Oliver Hartwich | Opinion

Setting a retirement spending policy
Setting an appropriate spending level is one of the most crucial tasks for retirees. Spend too much and risk utter penury down the track. Be too conservative and the client spends their remaining years in unnecessary hardship.
Tim Farrelly, farrelly's | 0.50 CE  | Opinion

Today's risk profiling puts us all at risk
Risk profiling is entirely broken. The key to understanding clients is in analysing their actions, not their words, or answers to a risk questionnaire.
Bernard Del Rey, Capital Preferences | Resources
* Rated in the top 5 presentations by Symposium 2016 delegates

Member comments

Pay attention to geo-politics when making investment decisions
Given the reluctance of traditional media organisations to cover geopolitics in any depth, where can investors find reliable sources of information on world events?
Graham Rich, PortfolioConstruction Forum | Comment

Geo-politics - Information
There is no one basic source of such information. World events are as complicated as any other aspect of life.
Dr Keith Suter, Global Directions | Comment

Investment lessons from Japan
As I read your article, Tim, I found myself wondering about the comparative relativities between the Japanese experience and ours...
Russell Wadey, Insight Family Wealth Consultants | Comment

Investment lessons from Japan
Yes, yes and yes! One of the great difficulties with economics is that we rarely get conclusive data - every situation is different, so it is very rare that we can say with absolute certainty that x causes y...
Tim Farrelly, farrelly's | Comment

RECENTLY...

Pay attention to geo-politics when making investment decisions
The world seems an increasingly dangerous place, driven by uncertainty and conflict. Yet on many measures, it is becoming safer. More than ever, investors need to filter out the noise and consider emerging geo-political developments shaping the world.
Dr Keith Suter, Global Directions | 4 comments | Resources

East Asia tensions simmer
Investors are not accounting for the structural shifts taking place in East Asia that raise the probability of market-negative events. Asia- or EM-dedicated investors should hedge their risks by exposure to DM assets.
Marko Papic, BCA Research | White Paper

Insanity
Insanity is repeating the same mistakes and expecting different results. Central bankers seem intent on repeating their mistakes - especially when it comes to negative interest rates.
Dr Robert Gay, Fenwick Advisers | Opinion

How much risk do equities contribute to diversified strategies?
Many have spoken of the significant risks funds carry with Australian equities exposures. So I thought I'd check the evidence on the influence of equities on multi-asset portfolios.
Michael Furey, Delta Research & Advisory | 1 comment | Research

10 "Gray Swans"
By definition, Black Swans are unknowable - they should surprise us. But here are 10 "gray swans" complicating the outlook for markets and portfolio construction.
Dan Farley, State Street Global Advisors | Opinion

Member comments
Same problem with optimisers
Hear, hear Tim. And it is the exact same problem with using an optimization model. Users of the tool are often poor at estimating appropriate inputs; GIGO...
Rob Pereira, Victorian Funds Management Corp | Comment

Evidence of decision-making bias
I think this is a great demonstration of a couple of major decision-making biases that can beset sophisticated investment decision-makers...
Simon Russell, Behavioural Finance Australia | Comment

Information Tech
Will IT break down religious borders?
Murray Rutherford, JBWere | Comment

Nailed it
Great summary of the issues and concerns Dom, but as PK noted, in the race of life always back self interest whether politicians, REIA or dare I say, the banks...
David Hyde, MC2 Wealth | Comment