It's taken about two decades for the wider investment public to understand ETFs: The index funds that allow you to buy anything from the ASX 200 to the S&P 500 are now very popular. But just as the message on passive investing broke through, the sector has turned the idea upside down by going head-to-head with active managers. It's time to figure out what's going on. Marc Jocum of GlobalX joins wealth editor James Kirby in this episode  -------In today's show, we cover: Getting to...

We hear it more and more: 'Property is so dear, it's impossible...so we are just going to give up now.' Today the author who coined the contentious line about renting forever if you never purchase a home explains his distinct point of view. Not everyone will agree. Financial adviser Bruce Brammall joins wealth editor James Kirby in this episode. In today's show, we cover: Look again - Maybe you can buy that first home Permanent residence - what you need to know When the bank changes the...

Anyone with an investment portfolio has experienced stress: But what if you had nearly two million people depending on your investment skills to manage their retirement money? And what if you created your own pressure because your $120 bn fund has been the top super fund in Australia for a decade? It's time to talk to Sam Sicilia, chief investment officer at Hostplus. Sam Sicilia, chief investment officer at Hostplus joins wealth editor James Kirby in this episode  In this episode, we...

The big banks have jumped the gun, putting through hefty cuts on deposit rates before the RBA has even conceded that official rates can move lower.Money markets dictate money prices: If they are right, the rate cut you have been expecting is just around the corner. AMP economist Diana Mousina joins wealth editor James Kirby. ------ In today's show, we cover  Rates finally drop - but not for borrowers * Why are my council rates rising if prices are flat?  * Can childcare stocks ever be...

Our guest today has been rated as one of the top advisers in the market for many years. He makes the point that virtually every Australian investor loves property - a notoriously illiquid asset. But then very few investors are willing to move into illiquid assets outside of bricks and mortar...it's time to change your mind. Charlie Viola of Pitcher Partners joins wealth editor James Kirby in this episode.   In today's show, we cover: *Why are you scared of illiquid assets?  *Do you have...

One of the biggest ‘movements’ in finance is the FIRE concept. You work hard, you save even harder and you retire early. Does it work? Does it pay off? Does it even make sense? James Gerrard of www.financialadviser.com.au joins wealth editor James Kirby in this episode. ------In today’s show we cover: *Facing FIRE - It’s a neat acronym, but is it for real? *Insurance - The unavoidable cost that may have to come first *Property versus super *Negative gearing - Did getting rid of it in NZ...

As today's guest points out, we are looking at a 'most distrusted share market rally' where investors are still trying to figure out what on earth prompted a shock reversal earlier this week. Maybe investors might be better off looking at fundamentals such as results, and interest rates and take less heed of exotic explanations for the downturn such as Buffett's offloading of Apple or the 'Japanese carry trade' : Because, after all, nobody really knows why 'Mr Market' sometimes acts...

The worst share market drop on the ASX for four years will have ripple effects for investors in every asset class.  For a start, it takes speculation of further rate rises off the table and it could prompt a swing towards property: Either way, it is going to mean a red alert for the next few weeks. Anthony Keane, personal finance writer at News Corporation joins wealth editor James Kirby in this episode. In today's show, we cover...* Lessons from this week's sharemarket pullback * How a...

It had to happen: The excitement around Artificial Intelligence ran hot on the share market and now the question is, where are the profits? For investors backing AI-fuelled stocks, it is time to take a breath - but at least they can take comfort in one fact: These stocks make money...it's not a bubble (so far). In today's show, we cover  * The AI share market boom takes a step backward* Can you get your money out of a private credit fund?* The minimum amount you need for a family trust *...

New data this week reveals the key to a slump in Victoria: Believe it or not there has been too much new property built in Melbourne. Moreover, there are now more sellers than buyers across the state: How long can it last?  In today's show, we cover  * Why prices and rents will keep rising ?* The state that overbuilt * Shared house - the ultimate investment property * Where can I get a 40-year mortgage?  Eliza Owen, economist at CoreLogic joins wealth editor James Kirby in this...

So, you probably did very well in the year to June as an active investor: But what are your plans for the year ahead? Do you still believe rates are going down? Will small caps outperform large caps? It's time to take stock. In today's show we cover  * Setting your sails for FY 2025 * The Biden moment - When it's time to quit* The theory behind a potential small-cap rebound * CGT tangles in the home where you lived and then rented Hugh Robertson of Centaur Financial Services joins wealth...

Whether you are an investor or an owner-occupier, the interest rate rises of recent years can be a squeeze.  But you do have options, including extending the life of your mortgage or switching to interest-only: Under both these arrangements you will pay less each month. Or maybe you could hold on a little longer, economists still believe we will see rate cuts early next year. In today’s show we cover: Is the national property market cooling?Getting over your mortgage cliff?How bank stocks...

The ASX is up 12 per cent in a year, the US S&P is up 24 per cent and now 'pro-market' Republican Donald Trump looks set to win the US election. What are investors buying and what can we expect for the rest of the year?  In today's show, we cover... * Will Trump accelerate the share market bull run?* Australian investors stick with miners even though banks surge * What might a sudden Trump-driven $US drop unleash?* The problem with infrastructure ETFs Gemma Dale head of investor...

Investors with multiple properties often get a hard time: Anissa Cavallo owns 15 investment properties having started as a divorced mum living in her parent's home.So, don't expect any apology from this investor, but she does put forward a forceful argument for investing in residential property - and some excellent insights into how to do it successfully In today's show, we cover... * How many properties should an investor hold?* The perfect suburb for the investor * Is the WA property...

The sharemarkets are firing - the US market is on an absolute tear...and now we have the prospect that Republican Donald Trump could win again. The last time Trump won, Wall Street went for a run...what might happen this time? In today's show we cover: * The outlook for the share market  * Why 'active' ETFs are riskier than you think * The problem with assuming your super returns will stay so good * Thinking long-term about splitting super savings between couples  Adviser James Gerrard...

Property investors and home buyers take a second look! Villa units - the humble single storey dwellings to be found in every metropolitan suburb are being reassessed by a new generation. They may not be fashionable - but they are going to be hot property. In today's show we cover: * Reassessing the villa unit * Why insurance inflation is crunching the housing market* Where is the government's shared equity scheme?* The $99,000 Melbourne apartment (not for everyone)  Sarah Petty, property...

It’s the single most common question among Australian investors and the answer is different for everyone. But there are firm principles you can follow and simple formulas that will at least give you a very good sense of how your super is shaping up. In today's episode we cover:   * Why you need to be sceptical of ‘super calculators’ * How you - or your partner - could live to be 100 * Don’t underestimate the role of the government aged pension * Why the amount you spend per year is the...

How much is property costing you? Home loan borrowers are extending their mortgages to keep costs down: Investors are absorbing higher running charges with an eye on the long term prize of capital gain. This week we take a close look at refinancing and how to make it work  In today’s show we cover  *  How to speak the language of property finance (and score a better deal) *. Does downsizing actually save money?* Forecasts for the year ahead * Extending the mortgage - pros and cons  Stuart...

The share market is heading for another strong year, but the short sellers are working hard to pull down some champion stocks on the ASX: Blue chip CBA and IPO darling Guzman Y Gomez are among the targets.What does it mean for investors?  In this episode, we cover: Short order - Why do traders believe top stocks are heading for a fall? The tricky business of small-cap stock selection What happened to luxury goods seller Cettire? Stock splits - Why they push up the share price  Dean Fergie of...

You may think you are ready to join the property market but do you have your squad of professionals in place? And have you considered the humble villa unit?  In today's episode we cover:  * A buyer's advocate tips for the first -time buyer * Villa units - Are they the most undervalued properties in Australia?  *  Land tax - Getting to know state-based land tax regimes  *  Have we reached peak mortgage broker?  Jarrod McCabe of the Wakelin Property Advisory group joins wealth editor...

Tycoons win and lose on the sharemarket just like the rest of us: This week Peter Cooper had a win with Guzman Y Gomez but then 'Hungry Jack' Cowin has watched his Domino's Pizza shares drop by a third so far in 2024. What can we learn from tycoon stock-picking? In today's episode we cover  * The stocks that paid off big time for Rich 250 players * Terrible tycoon stock picks of 2024 (so far) * The Australian who has $900m worth of Nvidia stock  * How stock splits work  John Stensholt...

As NSW follows Victoria with fresh moves to raise more money from Land Tax: Investors need to review their options and look at the different settings around the nation.In today's show, we cover... Land tax -The states squeeze the lemon - what can you do? Interest-only loans as a way to better manage debt  Buying a house with mates - what you need to know  If your home is your main workplace - are trips to work tax deductible? Kitty Parker of Kitty and Miles Buyers Agency joins wealth...

Most of us invest to make money for better times. But what about needing money for when things go very wrong. Today's guest was a patent lawyer when her family was hit with a major health trauma. The experience triggered a career change into becoming a financial adviser. In today's show we cover:  Emergency money - Why you must have a plan Understanding the insurance inside your super  Should you bother with income protection insurance? The pro-bono financial advice network  Nicola...

The soon-to-be-biggest city in Australia is among the cheapest! It is also the weakest in terms of price gains this year...so what should an investor do? In today's show we cover ... Is Melbourne now the bargain of the decade? Interrogating the 'units will rebound' theory  Will immigration cuts weaken the property market? The first steps in developing a property? Financial adviser Bruce Brammall joins wealth editor James Kirby in this episode See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy...

Ever been to a BBQ where someone told you about a unique tax strategy and you're left wondering why your accountant never mentioned this before? It might be claiming a luxury car as a tax deduction or becoming a tax resident of a tax haven like Vanuatu to avoid paying income tax. We sit down with an accountant to run through a range of "is this possible" scenarios from claiming travel costs on investment properties to determining whether you can claim pet food as a tax deduction for your dog...