Anthony Fensom

2023 New Year Resolutions for Asia’s Biggest Economies

Asia’s big economies failed to roar during 2022, weighed down by the continuing COVID-19 pandemic and resulting self-imposed restrictions on economic activity, together with rising interest rates and slowing growth globally. Amid an increasingly…

Power play: Energy market bulls vs bears

West Texas Intermediate (WTI) crude closed at US$104 a barrel last Thursday, taking the two-week losses to 16 per cent, just short of bear market territory. The downturn has been attributed to fears over US recession, while Chinese and Indian buying…

Australia’s New Government Faces an Economic Trial-by-Fire

“There’s a hole in your budget, dear Labor,” sang the Coalition’s parody attack ad on the Labor party during Australia’s recent election campaign. Yet the attempted critique of center-left Labor’s economic credentials failed to make an impact with…

Are Aussie hybrids still a safe choice?

Hybrid securities are a popular choice among investors seeking franked income returns, generally higher than those available from regular bonds or cash, and relatively low capital volatility. But with the great bond bull market ending, analysts warn…

Bond carnage: Is it time to exit fixed income?

The Bloomberg Global Aggregate Index, a benchmark for government and corporate debt, has dived 11% from its January 2021 high. The loss in value is estimated at around US$2.6 trillion (A$3.5 trillion), its worst performance since the US$2 trillion…

SMSF rule changes are coming in 2022: What to expect

While the March 29 federal budget may bring yet more changes for SMSFs, here are some of those already in the pipeline for 2022. Work test A major change effective July 1 is the ability to make non-concessional contributions from the age of 67 to 74…

Should you adjust your asset allocation for higher rates?

With that scary warning from the former US president ringing in investors’ ears, should asset allocation be adjusted to handle a world of higher inflation and interest rates? Rising food, electricity and housing costs have pushed US inflation to…

Will rising interest rates kill the tech boom?

Investors in international tech shares could be forgiven for popping champagne corks to celebrate the past year’s gains. The tech-heavy US Nasdaq composite index gained over 20% in 2021 driven by gains in heavyweights like Alphabet (GOOGL) up almost…

Hydrogen boom: hot air or new wave?

Fortescue Metals (ASX: FMG) chairman Andrew Forrest has extolled the potential of the “miracle molecule” to help decarbonise industrial sectors including power generation and transport. The company’s green energy subsidiary, Fortescue Future…

SMSFs and cryptocurrency: A guide

The latest Australian Taxation Office (ATO) data shows a steady increase in cryptocurrency assets held by SMSFs. As of the September quarter 2021, some $228 million was invested in the asset class, up from $212 million in the June quarter. While…

2022 New Year’s Resolutions for Asia’s Biggest Economies

Asia’s Year of the Ox failed to deliver its promised virtues of diligence and wealth, amid yet another pandemic-hit year. With the Year of the Tiger expected to bring renewed growth and vitality in 2022, The Diplomat examines some potential New…

Millennials are making the switch to SMSFs

However, experts caution there are traps for the unwary including the risk of making poor investment decisions, advisory and compliance costs and no government compensation in the event of fraud or theft. Research by StakeSMSF, an offshoot of online…

Too big to hide: Australia’s largest SMSFs spark debate

Twenty-seven of the nation’s biggest SMSFs held more than $100 million each in assets in fiscal 2019, including one as big as $544 million, according to data obtained by the Australian Financial Review. The report highlighted that the biggest funds…

What Will Japan’s New Prime Minister Mean for the Economy?

“Kono in charge will see the Nikkei hit 40,000.” That’s the typically fearless prediction of long-time Japan analyst Jesper Koll. With Japanese stocks recently hitting bubble-era highs, the market already appears to have decided on the outcome of the…

Protecting your SMSF from challenges beyond the grave

The widely reported NSW case of Katz v Grossman (2005) highlights the risks involved. Before his death, Ervin Katz made a non-binding nomination seeking to divide his $1 million SMSF estate equally between his son and daughter. Yet since his daughter…

Rising living costs hit SMSFs

The latest data shows a return to “normality” and with it the increasing cost of enjoying a “comfortable” retirement, according to the Association of Superannuation Funds of Australia (ASFA). Couples aged around 65 seeking a comfortable retirement…

Kim Needs to Smile: North Korea Sits on $10 Trillion in Minerals

Here's What You Need to Remember: In May, South Korea’s infrastructure ministry invited bids for possible infrastructure projects in the North, including those concerning the resource sector. It reportedly sees such resources as potentially covering…

Kim's Lost Fortune: North Korea Has $10 Trillion Resources It Can’t Tap

Key point: Even if North Korea could get at its resources, it could not sell most of them due to international sanctions. If those got removed and the right know-how and equipment was made available, then North Korea and its investors could be…

Why it’s time to update your SMSF investment strategy

Recent market volatility suggests a review of investment strategy is advisable, particularly ahead of the approaching new financial year. The Australian Taxation Office says the strategy must be reviewed at least annually, and when “significant…

North Korea: Oil and Gas Superpower? (Wha?)

The “hermit kingdom” of North Korea has struggled to feed its own people in recent years, let alone sustain its energy needs. Yet with reports emerging of the hard-line Communist state’s potential oil and gas resources, South Korea and other U.S.…