While flashy industries and businesses often capture the imagination of investors, it's the understated, "boring" businesses that often form the backbone of solid portfolios. These companies may not make headlines, but their stable, predictable revenue streams and...
Investment Philosophy
Navigating the Tug of War Between Interest Rates and Inflation
Sometimes the macroeconomic outlook changes like the weather, and investors find themselves sailing in a crosswind of uncertainty. The Reserve Bank of Australia (RBA) is ensnared in a catch-22 dilemma: whether to raise rates to tame inflation and risk plunging the...
Fast Thoughts, Slow Wisdom: The Legacy of Daniel Kahneman
Daniel Kahneman, an Israeli-born American Nobel prize-winning author, passed away on March 27 at age 90. For those yet to become familiar with his work, he was a psychologist at heart but to many he will be remembered as a pioneer in what has become known as...
Second-Level Thinking: Benefiting from the Rebound of ASX Retail Stocks
The Australian consumer has navigated a complex landscape over the past 12-18 months. Grappling with the repercussions of a post-pandemic surge in inflation, the Reserve Bank of Australia has raised interest rates 13 times since May 2022 with the current cash rate...
Biden vs Trump: Shaping Your Portfolio for the U.S. Presidential Outcome
As Super Tuesday's results and Nikki Haley’s exit from the Republican primary race, the stage looks set for a 2024 U.S. Presidential election rematch between the incumbent Joe Biden and former President Donald Trump. With rumblings from various European leaders about...
Investment Wisdom: Buying Well
On a Behind The Memo podcast last year, renowned value investor Howard Marks stated that: “What I learned from my first 10 years of experience is that good investing doesn’t come from buying good things but from buying things well. The difference is more than...
The Power of Positive Thinking
The Power of Positive Thinking 16/11/2023 Economist Paul Samuelson is famously quoted as saying that the stock market has predicted nine out of the last five recessions. While somewhat satirical, this quip demonstrates how poor investors and economists are at...
Moment of Truth for the Magnificent Seven
Moment of Truth for the Magnificent Seven 2/11/2023 The U.S.-listed technology giants have been long-time investor favourites, and with good reason–they have dominant businesses with large addressable markets and incredible financial metrics. They have also...
Bond Basics for Beginner Investors
The Financial Times (FT) recently reported that for the first time, the S&P 500, corporate investment-grade bonds and treasury bills are all offering the same yield of 5.3% for prospective investors. The leading financial newspaper provided a useful graphic...
What Really Matters in Investing
What Really Matters in Investing 22/6/2023 The world of investing can be a complex and ever-changing landscape, and the financial media can make it even more confusing, having you believe that the macroeconomic news of the day is the most important factor in any of...
Common Investing Mistakes Are More Common Than You Think
Common Investing Mistakes Are More Common Than You Think 15/6/2023 There is an old saying on Wall Street that “financial markets are driven by just two powerful emotions: Greed and Fear.” Investors often let their emotions dictate their decisions on when to buy, hold...
Stronger for Longer and a Bond Opportunity
Stronger for Longer and a Bond Opportunity 8/6/2023 After a forgettable 2022, equity and bond markets have had a more favourable beginning to 2023 as the economy has remained strong and inflation appears to be easing. In the United States, the world’s largest...












