In the Media

Why Health Float Sank Some Banks

Daily Telegraph - 07 Apr. 15

Despite all the celebrations about the success of the Medibank Private (MPL) float, to me the real winners here, in the first 12 months, are the brokers who sold the shares to their clients — short-term profit-takers who exited a few weeks ago, and of course the government, which raised more than $5 billion from it. So where does that leave you if you are holding the stock? In the short term, the prognosis for investors is not good. Reason being that statistics don’t lie, as at least 50 per cent of all floats fall below their offer price in the first 12 months...

Homework Prepares For Reporting Season

Daily Telegraph - 24 Mar. 15

The lead up to reporting season in Australia often sees investors bracing themselves for the bombshell that sends their shares tumbling. So, what happened this reporting season and what do you need to be aware of to prepare for the next round? Each year there are two major reporting periods for Australian Securities Exchange listed companies — February and August. You can find reporting dates on the company’s website, or contact the company’s investor centre. This way you know in advance when the important dates are for the shares you hold. It’s not until a company reports to the market that you get the chance to find out what’s going on...

Takeover Windfall For Shareholders

Daily Telegraph - 17 Mar. 15

When news surfaces that a share you hold in your portfolio is to be taken over and your shares have risen by more than 45 per cent in a day, it’s cause to celebrate. This is what Toll Holdings shareholders were doing recently when the company announced Japan Post had made an offer. Even the most seasoned trader would get excited about this kind of windfall as it doesn’t happen every day. If you are a professional trader, you have a plan in place for how a takeover will be handled. However, without the training or experience in the market, you probably hadn’t given this a thought, let alone had a plan to help you make the right decision...

Fruits of Temptation

Herald Sun - 28 Feb. 15

However, Dale Gillham, chief analyst at Australian fund manager Wealth Within, says too much diversification can be unhelpful. “Australia is a concentrated market, as are many other markets around the world, however, we need to be careful not to take this out of perspective,’’ Mr Gillham says. “Investors simply want good returns and for their money to be safe. The Year Book shows the Australian market is the second best performing in the world. “Why would anyone move money to a market where returns are decreased — especially when concentration risk can be easily managed with a little know-how...

Cash rate cut hurts vunerable retirees

Geelong Advertiser - 14 Feb. 15

Falling fuel prices are a bit like an economic stimulus package, where all Australians benefit. But not all forms of economic stimulus are fair, including the 0.25 per cent cut to the cash rate this month by the RBA, which has left thousands worse off. But that’s not all that isn’t fair. Those who are most vulnerable in our community, particularly our retirees, who are relying on the interest from their term deposits, are now receiving less...