Most people’s experience of artificial intelligence has been the chatbot: ask a question, get an answer. That use is still growing. What is changing—and what matters for Contrarius’ Funds—is the next layer of demand.
Most people’s experience of artificial intelligence has been the chatbot: ask a question, get an answer. That use is still growing. What is changing—and what matters for Contrarius’ Funds—is the next layer of demand.
Volatility, market commentators reliably assure us, is a buying opportunity. It is a welcome thought in a difficult market, most popular with those not presently experiencing it.
How well is your fixed income investment portfolio expected to perform during an economic shock? Have you considered what could happen to your portfolio if the wrong things happen at the right time? How defensive will your fixed income investments be in the next economic crisis?
Since the 50% capital gains tax (CGT) discount was introduced in Australia in 1999, many investors have followed a relatively consistent wealth-building playbook: purchase residential property, absorb short-term cash flow losses via negative gearing, and rely on long-term capital growth supported by favourable tax treatment.
Sustainable investing has been through plenty of challenges of late. After a string of political and social backlashes, the return of a US president who appears to be opposed to creating a more sustainable future, a rise in greenwashing cases and a challenging period of relative performance, sustainable investing has become more demanding and, arguably, more useful.
The Federal Reserve has a new chairman in position. Kevin Warsh recently chaired his first meeting and the message was clear: global markets need to get used to less hand-holding looking forward.
Underperformance by an actively managed fund in your portfolio is uncomfortable, but it’s not always a sell signal.
Because context matters. Whether a fund is temporarily out of favour, structurally flawed, too expensive, or no longer fit for your portfolio should change your response to underperformance.
First the bad news: many Australians in their 20s and 30s feel they are already late to investing. Property prices seem out-of-reach, the cost-of-living pressure is real, and social media can make everyone else’s financial life appear rosier than it really is. For many, the right pathway forward can feel out-of-reach.
Australia’s 2026-27 Federal Budget has dramatically changed the tax conversation in ways few budgets have. In particular, the Government’s plan to replace the 50% CGT discount with cost-base indexation and a 30% minimum tax rate from 1st July 2027 has massive investment implications.
The only certainties in life are death and taxes, as the saying goes. Of course, what can be less certain is exactly how tax is applied to your earnings, particularly those from investments. Depending on the type of investment you have and what type of earnings you receive from it, tax can be affected.
For decades, investors relied on the classic 60/40 portfolio: 60% equities and 40% bonds. That worked well during an era characterised by declining interest rates and relatively stable inflation.
The number of investors proclaiming they’ve made millions from AI infrastructure stocks is on the rise. That’s a dubious data point that’s surely synonymous with taxi drivers sharing the same hot stock picks near the peak of the market.
Most investors understand the concept of diversification. Spread your money across different asset classes, sectors, regions and investment managers, and your portfolio should be better equipped to withstand market shocks...