Insights

Strong growth in dividend payouts in the past couple of years is attracting investors back to holding stocks for dividend income rather than chasing capital growth. Shane Oliver, in his latest Insights column, explains why yields are becoming more important.

Monday's Eureka Report published an article summarising the latest bleak predictions from the celebrated "Elliott Wave" analyst Robert Prechter. Reporter James Frost takes a closer look at Prechter and the Elliott Wave phenomenon.

For share investment or saving nothing beats superannuation, according to Daryl Dixon. In this transcript of his interview with Michael Pascoe, he says that as a tax haven, super is a perfect way of accumulating money.

From minerals to grains, the emerging super-power has only given a glimpse of its appetite. Global economist and strategist Dr Marc Faber says this spells opportunities in a range of sectors, most of which have been ignored by investors. Charlie Aitken reports.

Property editor Mark Armstrong answers subscribers' queries sent to questionmark@eurekareport.com.au. This week: Whether to chase a sale price; Perth's growth spurt; investing via a syndicate; and what to do when a tenant breaks a lease.

Just as you thought a depressed residential property market had been given a kicking by the OECD, this week's housing figures indicate rental yields could stage a recovery next year, says Craig James, chief equities economist at Commonwealth Bank.

Residential property investors met with alarming headlines this week when the influential economics organisation, the Paris-based OECD, said Australian house prices are overvalued by 52%. Mark Armstrong and Fiona Marsden discover serious flaws in the report and join some leading economists in predicting a recovery in property returns next year.

Superannuation is still the best way to invest in Australia shares, particularly given the dividend imputation system, superannuation authority Daryl Dixon tells Michael Pascoe. And on video, he explains his approach to investing in Australia, and why he believes the Government has taken super reform about as far as it can.

In the short term, soaring global gas prices represent good news for Australian companies such as Woodside, But in the long term oil price rises will follow — and that's not good for Australia, says Richard Campbell.

Elliott Wave theory is one of the most significant of market theories because it's been right more often than it's been wrong. Now leading Elliott Wave theorist Robert Prechter is spooking equity markets with suggestions the Dow Jones will fall 75% by March 2007. A wary Patrick O'Leary takes a second look at the Elliott Wave.

Gold's price rally has a long way to go, according to ABN-Amro Morgans chief economist Michael Knox, possibly even to $US550 an ounce. Separately, on the attached pdf, ANZ economist Saul Eslake presents his quarterly economic review.

Shedding poor performers and ending the dual listing is a smart move, says Charlie Aitken. It gives Brambles a bigger presence on the ASX and better access to capital.

About half of the nation's investment properties are uninsured and many landlords don't even known there is a specialist insurance product for rental properties. Mark Armstrong and Fiona Marsden report on an important area of property management.

He might be departing the top job as AMP's chief investment officer, but veteran fund manager Merv Peacock tells associate editor Michael Pascoe he remains a firm believer in the sharemarket. Today, we publish an audio interview and transcript of the extended Peacock interview, in which the fund manager spells out his fears and hopes for Australian listed companies and explains why he would still have at least half of any investment portfolio in shares.

Now it has bought two big US shareholder services companies, has spread to Britain and collects lot of revenue from money held in trust, Chris Morris expects it might finally shed its share registry tag. He talked to James Kirby.