Insights

Jeff Bresnahan, managing director of SuperRatings, gets behind the latest figures for the nation's top "default" superannuation funds. While, in the attached file, MTAA Super's Michael Delaney defends his turf.

Property editor Mark Armstrong answers subscriber queries emailed to him at questionmark@eurekareport.com.au. This week: Subdividing a suburban block; low-doc loans; timing the property cycle; and commercial property.

Chief executive Sol Trujillo holds a handful of aces: unless the Government gives him the regulatory relief he wants, the value of its 51% Telstra shareholding will decline steadily for the next five years. Mike Mangan explains.

How can investors beat the slowing returns expected on the local market over the next couple of years? One answer is to invest in emerging markets, where surging economic growth can be reflected in share prices. But the prospect of higher rewards carries higher risks. James Frost explains how to find a safe course.

Surging capital flows, and the US dollar rising … we are certainly living in strange times. Macquarie Securities international economist Mark Tierney assures us it is good for investors, and on video he tells Michael Pascoe why global investment confidence is building.

It's not just the miners trying to cash in on the boom in China. Kerry Packer's PBL has its sights on the nation's gamblers and he has joined forces with the powerful Ho family. The Intelligent Investor says the growth potential in the region is huge.

As financial planners steer investors towards unlisted managed funds with hefty trailing commissions, listed private equity funds — such as Babcock & Brown Capital, run by Phil Green (pictured) — offer a strong alternative to mainstream investments, and they're selling at an average discount of 15% to their IPO price! Paul Waide examines the field for bargains.

Is Telstra's 6.9% yield at today's price of around $4 sustainable? Charlie Aitken doesn't think so, and he believes if it was any other stock it would be trading at $3.

Most buyers in golf course developments are not avid golfers, but they are prepared to pay a 30% premium for the lifestyle the estates offer. Mark Armstrong and Fiona Marsden headed for the greens to see whether golf property makes sense.

The youthful boss of the fast-growing ABC Learning Centres says he has about 16% of the privatised Australian childcare market, and plans to lift that to about 25%. And, he told Eureka Report editor James Kirby, after this week's takeover of a US childcare group his growth plans now extend beyond Australia.

Property editor Mark Armstrong answers subscribers' queries emailed to questionmark@eurekareport.com.au. This week: factoring in the price of improvements; capital gains tax; setting a selling price; and company share apartments.

Softer labour figures have sent some tremors through the markets in recent days. Unemployment clearly began to rise in September and October but, as Commonwealth Bank's equities economist Andrew Mitchell suggests, it's only the second fall in 14 months.

Telstra chief Sol Trujillo has set the company a big challenge with this week's release of a five-year recovery plan. But the company has the best dividend yield in the market and a re-energised management team, leading Mike Mangan to believe its future is looking bright.