The cracks in Australia’s superannuation nest egg
By Michael Rafferty, University of Sydney Think the share market volatility doesn’t affect you? Guess again. With almost 60% of Australian superannuation funds invested in shares, anyone paying compulsory super contributions has something to lose from the current ructions. University of Sydney superannuation expert Mike Rafferty explains why all of us, young and old, should…
Global economic shakeout: the cracks in Australia’s superannuation nest egg
By Michael Rafferty, University of Sydney Think the share market volatility doesn’t affect you? Guess again. With almost 60% of Australian superannuation funds invested in shares, anyone paying compulsory super contributions has something to lose from the current ructions. University of Sydney superannuation expert Mike Rafferty explains why all of us, young and old, should…
Why Aussie Traders Are Ditching Equities To Trade Foreign Exchange (FX)
It was revolutionary enough when the internet opened up access to trading the stockmarkets – but the $US6.8 trillion-a-day foreign exchange (FX) market is a much bigger pond in which to fish. Australia is one of the most active retail markets in trading FX: according to a recent report from research firm Investment Trends, 54,000…
Why Economists Didn’t See The Crisis Coming
Dr. Geoff Davies, published on DebtWatch The Global Financial Crisis, the extreme inequality of wealth world-wide, the materialism of modern life and the dire state of the planet are not accidents, nor just unavoidable consequences of the nature of things. They are the result of the modern practice of economics, which makes elementary errors of…
Gold stock recovery underway
Gold stocks have recovered sharply following last month’s panic-like capitulation plunge. But this embattled sector still remains incredibly cheap relative to prevailing gold levels, which drive gold miners’ profits and hence ultimately their stock prices. While it is very challenging psychologically to buy in deeply-out-of-favor sectors, the panic-like gold-stock bargains out there today are simply…
Where in the world is all the gold?
It wasn’t long ago that global gold-mine production had fallen to alarming lows. In 2008 this bellwether supply source was on the heels of a 5-year 13% decline, offering the markets its lowest output in 12 years. And this precipitous plunge had left folks scratching their heads considering gold demand was on the rise and…
Which factor do you think affects the Aussie dollar the most?
Question: What factor do you think affects the Aussie dollar the most – interest rates, commodity prices or China? Which factor should traders most closely watch? Answer: It is a great question and one that will have different traders batting for different answers. For me, I do have a bias for one, but feel it…
Doubts about covered call options
Question: I am looking for information on covered call options, – who or what sets the call premium on a particular share – Can I use any e- broker or is it only some brokers. – What is the usual broker cost – Any possible down side for shares I already have in my portfolio. Response: Covered call writing…
Stocks to watch at noon on Friday
Stocks to watch on the Australian stock exchange at noon on Friday: ANZ – ANZ BANKING GROUP LTD – up 25 cents, or 1.18 per cent, at $21.45 ANZ’s first quarter profit has risen to $1.48 billion due to good results in its offshore operations. APN – APN NEWS & MEDIA LTD – up one…
Where should I place my trailing stop?
The momentum-based trailing stop Choosing to close a position is often more difficult than choosing to open one. The decision to open a position can often be made for you – when some moving averages cross, when a breakout occurs, or when there is an economic or company announcement. In an unsuccessful trade, your stop…
