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January 29, 2013 by John Duncan

Year In Review – 2012

2012 Year in Review

Economy & Markets: Overview

Throughout 2012, investors did not have to look hard for reasons to avoid the financial markets. Economic news provided abundant cause for anxiety, prompting some investors to consider fleeing to cash. Some investors responded to the headlines and acted on their fears. Unfortunately, on the sidelines they missed the opportunity to capture the strong returns across the markets in 2012.

The year opened with lingering concern about the weak US recovery and debt crisis. Many pundits predicted another lacklustre year for stocks and more volatility. Some predicted a euro zone breakup. The global economy was showing signs of a slowdown, while the US elections and spectre of the “fiscal cliff” prompted caution.

Despite the steady stream of bad news, major market indices around the world delivered double-digit total returns, with Australia outperforming most other developed markets. And while the media constantly talked about volatility driving investors away, market wide volatility actually fell to its lowest level in six years.

Timeline_of_News_Events

[Read more…]

Filed Under: General, Investment, Superannuation Tagged With: investment, Year in Review 2012

August 10, 2011 by John Duncan

Living with Volatility

The current renewed volatility in financial markets is reviving unwelcome feelings among many investors—feelings of anxiety, fear and a sense of powerlessness. These are completely natural responses. Acting on those emotions, though, can end up doing us more harm than good.

At base, the increase in market volatility is an expression of uncertainty. The sovereign debt strains in the US and Europe, together with renewed worries over financial institutions and fears of another recession, are leading market participants to apply a higher discount to risky assets.

So developed world equities, oil and industrial commodities, emerging markets and commodity-related currencies like the Australian dollar are weakening as risk aversion drives investors to the perceived safe havens of government bonds, gold and Swiss francs.

It is all reminiscent of the events of 2008 when the collapse of Lehman Brothers and the sub-prime mortgage crisis triggered a global market correction. This time, however, the focus of concern has turned from private sector to public sector balance sheets.

As to what happens next, no-one knows for sure. That is the nature of risk. But there are seven simple lessons that individual investors can keep in mind to make living with this volatility more bearable. [Read more…]

Filed Under: General, Investment, Superannuation Tagged With: investing, investment, living with volatility, superannuation

January 20, 2011 by John Duncan

The Price of Bad Advice

Question: How to compare the price of a client-centred fee-only financial advisor with the “free” services supplied by a broker?

Answer: In the second instance, the bill comes much later and at potentially far higher cost.

Pursuing sales people masquerading as advisors has been a major focus in the past year for the Australian Securities and Investments Commission, a watchdog which shares this column’s view about the risks of investing “outside the flags“.

In one of its most high-profile recent actions, ASIC instigated court proceedings against the promoter of a fraudulent investment scheme that robbed hard-working Australians of more than $100 million in retirement savings.

[Read more…]

Filed Under: General, Investment, Property Tagged With: bad advice, fee-only advisor, investing, investment

June 2, 2010 by John Duncan

End of Year Tax Tips for 2010

The end of the tax year is fast approaching and many people scramble to reduce the dreaded tax bill. Paying money to the tax office that could have been used to benefit your own position can be painful, however there are still some last minute tax strategies that can help you and hopefully with effective tax planning for next year you can reduce your need to panic when June rolls around again. [Read more…]

Filed Under: General, Tax Tips Tagged With: capital gain, investment, pre pay deductions, salary sacrifice, tax tips

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John Duncan - Financial Planner

Director for True Financial - John Duncan - Fee Only financial planner To receive the best financial planning advice you need the best financial planner. John Duncan is certainly in that category. John is a financial planner who is unique in not only his high level of knowledge and experience in financial planning but also in the amount of areas that John advises in. A Financial Planner with a strong Education background John is a Certified … Read More

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