Insights

Preparing for any new taxes on super and understanding the Transition to Retirement provisions.

I believe some prevailing views have gained credibility without significant factual support.

Helping children to buy their first home and evaluating international brokers.

What is risk? Surely that is a stupid question as everyone knows what risk is when it comes to investing...

Lower commodity prices and a downdraft in US markets look like delivering a weak opening for the stock market this morning.

Good data and strong market reactions overnight have Australian shares poised for a jump at today's opening. Local optimism is further supported by a lower Australian dollar against both the US dollar and the Japanese yen, highlighting the potential for international buyers to push stocks higher. Further falls in commodity prices may temper enthusiasm.

New composite products are continuing to replace the dental products manufacturer's old amalgam grey fillings, which have seen declining demand in recent years.

This Israeli-based technology company is revolutionising the way people drive their cars... and the market hasn't fully caught on yet.

This week we look at Aristocrat Leisure, Karoon Gas, Premier Investments, New Hope Corporation and Nufarm.

The banks have delivered terrific returns over the past few years... but now their valuations are less attractive. Other companies, meanwhile, offer better yields as well as the benefits of diversification.

Weak commodity prices at the end of last week will weigh on market sentiment this morning. However, investors may take some heart from the statement by the Governor of China's central bank indicating that further stimulus initiatives are likely.

The Australian market was sold off heavily at the start of the day with the materials and energy sectors driving the market lower on the back of weaker commodity prices. After a 4% drop on Friday, iron ore prices have fallen further today after China's economy slowed further in the first quarter, raising questions of future demand for the metal.

Contrary to the general market reaction following the United States Federal Reserve policy meeting last week, we (BetaShares) still feel there's a good chance that the Fed could raise rates as early as June.

All eyes turn to the Middle East as conflict in Yemen stands as a stark reminder of the one sided nature of the geo-political risks to asset markets. Higher oil and gold prices, and lower share markets, are the inevitable result of the return of risk as the potential for armed conflict escalates.

Unfortunately timed data has kicked the Australian share market where it is technically vulnerable. After repeated failures by the index to break through the 6,000 level, local investors have seized on the negative overnight action and slammed the market, pushing the index under 5,900. Volatility is up, and every sector in the red, albeit on light and unconvincing volumes.

Stand by for broken promises on super, probably in property.