Most mutual funds measure their performance against a market index and I know some Self Managed Super Funds (SMSF) do the same. Each public fund has an investment strategy which is outlined in their product disclosure statement (PDS) and it cannot be changed by the fund manager without the approval of the members of the [...]
I saw this article “Non-profit super shows best returns” today which reported that between 2000 to 2009, funds operated by unions and employers on behalf of members posted the best annual returns. Retail funds – those run for profit by financial institutions – were nowhere to be seen on the league table, which ranked a [...]
After the spectacular stock market rally of 2009, even the most bullish analyst is not expecting an encore of this performance in 2010. The more optimistic forecasts are for a 10-20% increase but the odds are higher for stocks to go sideways or down in 2010. There is still a lot of uncertainty if the [...]
Last week a storm damaged the fences on one of our investment properties. I check our insurance policy and was relieved to find out that storm damage was covered and the maximum cost of repair to me would be $300, which is the level of “excess” I chose when I bought the insurance. Almost everyone [...]
According to this article “Small Funds now Biggest Sector of Super Industry” in The Australian newspaper, Self Managed Super Funds have become the biggest sector in the Superannuation industry since October 2008. As mentioned in a speech by the Deputy Commission of Taxation in a SMSF conference in February 2009, funds invested in the sector [...]