Shareholder activists, banks and batteries

In today's #AskAlan Livestream I started with a question for Stephen Mayne that was asked when I was on leave last week.

This week's questions in order:

• Bugger, I thought Stephen Mayne might have been a guest. I wrote this question for him.
  "Hi Stephen. Welcome to the Constant Investor. In your opinion, who is the most effective shareholder activist in the world? And what strategies, tactics and personal qualities make him/her so effective?”

• On 20th July I read/heard the podcast on "Banks a Buy" with Brett Le Mesurier. That was 2 weeks before AUSTRAC hit CBA with alledged money laundering. So I am wondering if analysts with their their ears, eys and nose to the ground didn't know about this bombshell coming, how would we know. And if it was known, how come no-one talked about it before 4 August. I know CBA won't get hit with $1 trillion as the taxpayers are the guarantors, what about us the shareholders? CBA will certainly get hit, but the quantity is still unknown. Does anyone know?

• Are there enough batteries in the world for us all to be driving electric cars. If not what is the alternative, maybe fossil fuels or different battery technology.

• I don't believe I have seen the market so narrowly range bound for a period of 3 months as has been occurring. My gut feeling is that it is less likely to be a combination of issues but more possibly the shadow of North Korea and a stand aside attitude waiting on a direction

• I hope you watched "Hawke and Howard in Conversation" hosted by Annabelle Crabb. A very thoughtful and intelligent discussion of our disillusion with modern politics. John noted the present highly unusual economic circumstances of combined low interest rates and low wage growth. Bob reminded us not to overlook the significant changes in China, starting with the move to a market economy in 1978, and that growth was no longer exclusive to democratic societies. To what extent do you think China is a factor in our current economic state? Or do you attribute other factors such as technology and automation as more significant?

• How worried are you that with the rift between Business and Trump widening that the adults may leave the Administration and we wind up with damaging economic policy to add to the divisive social policy. Wall St seems to becoming more worried?

• Alan, your 4D interview was great & prompted an interest & some research into global infrastructure funds. Is there a resource that lists & compares the funds available within a particular sector, e.g global infrastructure

• Alan, you have mentioned that you personally invest predominantly in shares and funds and not ETF's. Have you found a way how you might use Percy's Market Timing to optimise your asset allocation.

• What is your take on Graphene companies. I’ve recently invested in Ionic industries. Do you follow Graphene companies? Any insights would be warmly recieved!!

• What is a good Yield At The Moment??

• A China Indian War - A Real Risk?