Insights

A number of exchange-traded funds offer currency hedged international exposure.

Calculating the potential tax on super earnings, selling an investment property and paying off a home loan.

A small number of SMSFs holding cash in offset accounts were relative winners from the recent rate cut.

We know cash is not a good investment, but at these levels it fails even as a store of value.

Bank stocks, staying with cash and proposed pension changes.

Greek inspired wobbles in Europe and the US and falling bond markets provide a sour backdrop to a very busy trading session for Australian investors. A federal budget, key industrial and retail data from China today and GDP growth numbers for most of Europe tonight mean sentiment could swing several times in this twenty four hour period.

In case you missed it: Here's what an investor needs to know.

The price of iron ore is crucial to the Budget outlook … and this year's 'assumed price' is very low indeed.

What's surprising about this 'dull and boring' budget is that it's actually quite positive ... if a little indirectly.

The largest US companies have led the market higher over the past few years, and fortunately that's where about 60% of the portfolio has been invested. However, we think it's time to reassess that strategy. It's never a good idea to have all your eggs on one basket, especially if it looks like the eggs might have gotten a bit expensive.

After a startling underperformance to start the week, the Australian share market looks vulnerable today as local investors eye a global sell off in bonds, falls in US shares overnight and lower metals' prices. Futures markets are pointing to a fall of just three points at the open, but this looks very optimistic in light of the pressure on dividend yielding stocks in the financial, telco and consumer staples sectors yesterday.

We upgrade our recommendation to "hold" after gaining clarity about the supermarket supplier's capital expenditure program and first-half advertising costs.

The biopharmaceutical company has shown why it should be in any serious international investor's portfolio, while FireEye, Cummins and Pfizer have reported in line or better-than-expected results.

This week we look at Sims Metal Management, WorleyParsons, Tabcorp, Ardent Leisure and JB Hi-Fi.

Australia's largest suppler of home fitting and fixtures is in the midst of a turnaround and is one of the best ways to play the housing construction cycle.

Weekend news of the next rate cut in the China will add to the positive lead from US markets to deliver a rally when the stock market opens this morning.