Insights

Why it pays to diversify offshore.

After the sharp falls in August, the sharemarket continued to bump along the bottom in November, as investors continued to digest the effect of falling commodity and the potential for interest rate rises in the US.

Markets will start the new week without much lead from international markets and with a large amount of macro data due over coming days likely to dictate trader caution.

What promised to be a quiet post-Thanksgiving Friday for the Australian market is off to a solid start. The two big engines of the Australia 200 index are firing simultaneously this morning with both mining stocks and banks attracting support.

With a steady lead from US markets heading into Thanksgiving, the early mood on the local stock exchange is likely depend on whether or not the selling of banks and other yield stocks continues as it has over the past couple of trading sessions.

It has always been easier to lend money than to get it back. The risks of this new form of lending are worth examining.

Rental growth is soft and auction clearance rates are falling but total returns are strong.

The debt is sub-investment grade and has a credit margin of more than 5 per cent.

Stocks are cheap but beware the Fed, weak earnings and rising debt. Wall Street is the smarter growth play.

Calculating capital gains tax on a property when the situation involves an inheritance, a rental arrangement and a subdivision.

This week we look at Myer, Bank of Queensland, Orica and SMS Management and Technology.

Monadelphous' dividend and Interactive Brokers.

A steady session in US markets together with a bounce in some major commodities should deliver a firm opening for stocks this morning.

Australian investors are increasingly seeking to invest in international markets - with the mining bust and a weaker Australian dollar contributing to the desire to look offshore. With that in mind, investors looking to invest globally should be aware of the potential added benefits that arise from looking beyond the "usual suspects" when seeking international exposure.

Weaker than forecast US manufacturing and home sales checked but did not derail investor enthusiasm in overnight trading. Markets drew little implications from the numbers, and a rampant US dollar kept the pressure on commodities while weighing on European US shares.

Don't miss green power company Enerji's chief executive Andrew Vlahov, plus catch up on our interview with Myer chief executive Richard Umbers.