Insights

What's the secret of making successful investments in the retirement industry? As Russell Emerson explains it's all about 'exit fees'. .

The Australian sharemarket is so strong (it's up again today) some are wondering whether a bubble is developing? Not yet, says AMP Capital's chief economist Shane Oliver, but the risk of it happening is now high.

It's time to start analysing the customers if we want to fully understand company performance says consumer trends expert Ross Honeywill, the man who coined the term NEOs to identify the nation's most lucrative consumers. Today Ross explains how understanding NEOs gives investors the edge over traditional stockbroking analysis.

The home lending market is much stronger than media reports in recent weeks would indicate David Grafton, executive general manager, credit risk management at CBA. tells Michael Pascoe in a full length audio interview..

The Economist magazine has made plenty of headlines with its dire predictions of a massive housing crash in Australia, but the most comprehensive research yet on the impact of falling house surprised on the upside, as well as disclosing which areas could hurt most. Michael Pascoe talks to CBA executive general manager, David Grafton.

High oil prices mean money is pouring into the Gulf States faster than they can spend it. Much has gone into European property and share markets and, of course, luxury goods makers are smiling again says Michael Pascoe.

Currencies are notoriously difficult to predict, says Patrick O'Leary, but here goes: if the Australian dollar goes above 80 cents US, it's likely to keep going to parity.

Investors selling out of the bull market risk that “sick under-invested feeling”, says stockbroker Charlie Aitken.

Yes, the Australian discount to the rest of then world has disappeared and, yes, it's at a record high. Does that mean it's overpriced? No, says Eureka Report Editor James Kirby.

In a positive move for the property market, the nation’s biggest banks are dropping their fixed interest home loan rates. At the same time, rents are falling in some sectors of the Sydney, Melbourne and Brisbane apartment markets. How should residential property investors read such mixed signals?

While Australians are beginning to explore superannuation choice, America's 401K retirement savings accounts are starting to show choice fatigue. A trend there is towards "target date" super funds — a product Russell Investment Group is about to launch here. Michael Pascoe spoke to Russell's Heather Dawson.

The chance of global pandemic of bird flu is quite small, but as John Edwards of HSBC says, the consequences of it would be greater than any conceivable act of terrorism.

Neighbourhoods are undergoing a quiet revolution. Nuclear families are on the decline and solo households are the fastest growing of all household types. Along with the rise in solo living comes additional demand for one bedroom units — and potentially, a more significant role for them in your property portfolio.

Self-managed super is rapidly becoming cheaper. Michael Pascoe spoke to SMSF proponent and author, Russell Medcraft, about his firm's latest suite of low-cost products.

AMP's chief economist, Shane Oliver, explains why he thinks the current Japanese recovery is not another false dawn.

Be greedy when those around you are fearful, says Warren Buffett. That's now, says Charlie Aitken.