Financial Markets
Tough times in the IPO market
| Michael Bailey
So much for long-term investing. The easiest way to make money out of stocks is to dump them on the first day.
Market Update
| David James
Battle of the banks, good year for gold, PNG gas gets the nod and smiles for the stockmarket.
Ratings mayhem
| David James
David James | No one’s listening to the ratings agencies any more and the poor darlings must be feeling awfully unappreciated.
Keep European negatives in perspective
| Chris Richardson
Chris Richardson | The year has begun with more horror headlines – and understandably so, given that a giant sword labelled ‘Europe’ hangs over the world economy.
Mind the equities gap
| David James
A lack of appetite for equities will affect the financial market badly over the next decade, a study reveals.
The year ahead
| David JamesSome analysts are expecting better things from the sharemarket in 2012, possibly making up the losses of 2011.
REITS face struggle
| Zoë FieldingListed property trusts are facing hurdles that make it hard for them to close the gap between market cap and net tangible asset backing.
Ratings agencies ‘a joke’
| DAVID JAMESInvestors aren’t relying on ratings agencies they way they used to.
Fit for the forum
| DAMON FRITH
Membership of an online investment forum creates opportunities for gaining insight and sharing ideas.
CBA has it covered
| Damon Frith
Frith | Commonwealth Bank of Australia deserves top marks for getting away its $3.5 billion covered bond issue.
Back to the future
| Shane OliverEconomy in Action | Indicators are a reminder: there really is nothing new under the sun.
Leaving the market behind
| Asher TanGrowth in the Top 1000 shows investors’ caution is at odds with actual performances.
Banking on virtue
| Phil Ruthven
Phil Ruthven | Investment in the nation is riding high but it is important to focus on the virtues of diversification.
Some buts – but bigger returns on hybrids
| Jonathan ShapiroInvestors have never been so well rewarded for hybrid risks.
Full of promise
| Tony Featherstone
Small-cap stocks may be risky in times of market volatility but they can offer potential for a bargain.
Rock stocks to watch
| Dan Hall
Companies with exposure to Queensland’s coal terminals and a few resources groups with finds much further afield are ones to watch.
Hedging your bets
| David James
Alternative investments such as hedge funds are becoming more popular.
Code blue
| Damon Frith
While no stock is shockproof in volatile times, investors can expect these 10 blue chips to weather the storms.
Mix and match
| Jonathan ShapiroHybrid securities - part equity, part debt - may confuse investors.
How the Rich 200 invest: Greg Coffey
| Andrew Heathcote
How the Rich 200 Invest | Greg Coffey has changed funds and strategies in an attempt to improve results.
Brave hop in before bad times abate
| David JamesWhen it comes to buying shares, timing is everything, and savvy investors like taking a punt that positive economic signs eventually flow through to equity prices.
Sluggish mortgage market sparks call for inquiry
| Damon Frith
Low interest rates do not equal a booming mortgage market, with two experts calling for a review.
Government debt has no saviour
| David JamesThe lesson of recent financial crises is that public sector debt is a very different animal to private sector debt.
NRW Holdings (NWH)
|Three stock analysts have a “buy” rating on mining services and equipment supplier NRW Holdings.
Twelve predictions for 2012
| Tony Featherstone
Superstitious market watchers will hope 2012, the Chinese Year of the Dragon, lives up to its reputation for good luck.
Pray for equities or just buy gold
| David James
Pessimism has gripped the markets but strategies are available.
Use your words
| Leo D'Angelo Fisher
Companies that focus all their investor relations on big investors are selling themselves short.
The pull of supply and demand
| Damon Frith
Frith | Sensationalist forecasters love the term “peak oil” but what about “peak gold”?
MAp Airports
|JPMorgan has downgraded its rating for MAp Airports to “underweight” from “neutral” with a $3.60 target price.
China the junior miner
| David JamesThe Chinese are still learning about ensuring resource security, says one resource company executive.
Ask a professional: Chad Padowitz
|
Meet Chad Padowitz - even when filling the car, he’s smiling about $100-a-barrel oil.
Market update
| Jessica Gardner and Michael BaileyMixed reaction to Incitec Pivot’s profit announcement; Salmat’s weak trading update; Commonwealth Bank downgrade.
Christmas listing frenzy
| Tony Featherstone
Featherstone | This year’s traditional December float rush is unlikely to produce as many quality listings as last year.
Some start to look on the bright side
| David JamesSome analysts are starting to think it may be time to buy.
Where the smart money is
| Michael Bailey
A more dynamic asset allocation appeals to investors wary of being stuck in a moribund or dwindling portfolio.
Farewell, my country
| David James
A global government, with financial markets as its power centre, could be the result of the European crisis.
Life after the resources boom
| David James
Business needs to stop worrying about the taxes on mining and carbon emissions.
Market betwixt rock ’n’ solid
| DAMON FRITH
Our biggest 200 companies may be an option in troubled times, with one analyst holding out for a 14 per cent return.
Brain drain
| David James
Emerging life sciences companies are more likely to get funding and succeed overseas.
Pressure zone
| David James
European countries face a dilemma about whether to opt for greater unity or to retain their political independence.
Exit China’s rich
| David James
Rich Chinese are keen to emigrate and to invest offshore, according to a survey.
Y is for yield
| Jessica Gardner
The days of colossal capital gains are a distant memory and Gen Y investors now need to know about yield.
The top end is awash in it
| Damon FrithContrary to what some believe, now is the time for corporates to dive into debt – not only is the market supporting it , it’s better than some of the alternatives.
A note on convertibles
|Covertible notes are becoming popular because they suit the uncertain times in which we live, says Ernst & Young transactions executive Bryan Zekulich.
Institutional options
| Damon FrithSetting up a balanced corporate balance sheet is a complex procedure but Australian Unity’s CFO Tony Connon breaks it down into some simple components.
The cost of capital
| Michael Bailey, Damon Frith and David James
Despite lower interest rates the costs of capital are still high. BRW reviews the sources and their relative costliness.
Re-rating the raters
| David James
Ratings bodies say they’ve brushed up their act since subprime mortgages helped bring the world to the brink.