Insights

The COVID-19 pandemic has seen Australians hunker down their finances - spending less and tucking away more cash. That's seen our household savings rate jump from 3.5% (of income) in 2019, to 5.5% at present. But plenty of people could be missing out on easy ways to boost their bank balance.

InvestSMART Capped Fee Portfolio review: 'The Monthly Musing' - bang for your buck

As society moved online in response to COVID lockdowns, Alex Gluyas looks at how increased network and cloud usage has been supported by data centres, and how companies operating in the sector are becoming a crucial part of the digital supply chain.

Robert Gottliebsen looks into how top management has performed throughout the COVID crisis in several ASX 200 companies and explains the close link between quality managers and a stock's performance.

The Reserve Bank's decision to keep the official cash rate on hold at 0.25% for June comes as no surprise. Our central bank has already made it clear that rates are likely to stay at record lows for some time - certainly until the economy picks up. That's great news for anyone with debt, though not so good if you rely on interest-bearing investments for income.

Steve Sammartino explores the concept of investing in digital DNA, and how it impacts disruption and investment portfolios.

Theo Marinis tells the story of a client who received an unexpectedly large inheritance and how she could use an investment bond to achieve intergenerational wealth transfer.

The last fortnight saw one of the biggest sell-offs by company Directors throughout the COVID crisis, Alex Gluyas questions whether shareholders should be concerned and does the rounds of another fortnight dominated by insider buys.

The idea of beating the market is always appealing, but is it possible?

Has there been any evidence so far if one strategy has handled this crisis better?

With rapid advancements occurring in the retail space, Alex Gluyas delves into how the COVID-inflicted online shopping boom could signify a shift in the balance of power between retail tenants and landlords.

After Scott Morrison flagged on Tuesday the possibility of tax reform, Lisa Papachristoforos explores how superannuation tax laws could be changed to assist Australia's economic recovery post COVID-19.

Scott Francis rewinds the clock back to the GFC days to highlight that even 11 years later, retail investors aren't being treated equally to institutional investors when participating in capital raisings.

With dividends being slashed retirees may be reconsidering their current portfolio strategy. Holding the banks, a supermarket and a telco isn't going to cut it right now.

Steve Sammartino explores the emergence of China's new, official digital currency, and how it has the potential to restructure the relationship between money, economic power and geopolitics.

Patrick Duke provides an overview of how to build tax-effective wealth through your end of financial year superannuation contributions.