News

After posting a 16.6 per cent average annual return since 2014 and 31.8 per cent in FY20/21, the Cyan 3G Fund lost 35.8 per cent in FY21/22. So how does it feel, as a fund manager, when things head south in dramatic fashion? The fund’s co-founder, Dean Fergie, speaks to The Inside Network’s James Dunn.

With rising financial stability risk complicating the already uncertain outlook for global economies, the IMF warns a hard landing is becoming more likely, while Australia is set for particularly weak growth in the short-term. Inflation remains the prevailing concern.

The current economic cycle is too changeable to set any portfolio to autopilot, according to Mason Stevens’ Jacqueline Fernley. Counterpoints to conviction are needed, and the devil’s advocate should be your friend.

The ethical money manager says Lendlease failed to provide information required to independently assess the impact of its planned development in Mount Gilead, an area deemed critical to the survival of a resident koala colony.

Stakeholders hope the government’s proposed nature repair market – intended to work in parallel with the Australian carbon market – will drive the significant private investment needed to create positive, rather than just net-zero, impacts on biodiversity.

Most borrowers have continued to service their debts despite rising interest rates, while the strong labour market has underpinned income growth. However, as debt levels rise, the share of Australian mortgage holders with disposable income is dropping, according to a new report.

As part of the RBA’s program exploring a potential Australian central bank digital currency, ANZ has successfully completed a tokenised carbon credit trade using a stablecoin backed by a pilot CBDC, with more use cases set to be tested soon.

The changes to the Your Future Your Super performance test are an improvement, according to Willis Towers Watson. But the application of the test to trustee-directed products is probably more of a negative than a positive, and some benchmarks remain inflexible.

Governor Philip Lowe took a more dovish tone in announcing the central bank would leave the cash rate target at 3.6 percent, as markets welcomed the chance to let the 350 basis points of tightening already engineered to take full effect on the economy.

Value stocks have been big outperformers over the past three years, especially those in the cheapest part of the market, says Schroders’ Simon Adler. To avoid value traps, it’s key to do one’s research.

Diversification is invaluable, and this is especially apparent during times of disruption and uncertainty. Exposure to infrastructure assets can help investors take advantage of the current volatility, but keeping asset correlation in mind is key.

Although more Australian companies are paying dividends in 2023, many have reduced payouts, with the year-to-date total slightly behind 2022’s figures, according to CommSec research. The big miners are leading the cuts, while energy producers are lifting dividends to reflect record high gas prices.