What you must know about ETFs
The tortoise may have beaten the hare but an analogous investment strategy using index funds is not a guaranteed winner.
Lending model flawed
An official review of lending standards in the red-hot investor property market is set to reveal serious flaws in how lenders have been assessing customers for credit.
What’s worrying investors most
A move by the US Federal Reserve to raise interest rates represents the biggest worry among investors as they remain cautious about where to spend their funds, Henderson Group says.
New call to cap super
The head of Westpac Banking Corp’s wealth business will today call for retirees to start paying income tax on annual superannuation earnings of more than $150,000.
Reporting trends to watch
There are two key trends that are likely to share the results for many companies this reporting season, UBS says.
Five ways to invest in early-stage tech
What’s the best way to invest in early-stage Aussie tech? Five experts share their views.
Foreign investor queries
When National Australia Bank chief executive Andrew Thorburn meets investors overseas, he knows exactly what they are going to ask.
Australian Equity Indices
| Points | Change | % Change | Value | Volume |
| S&P;/ASX 200 | 5,382.1 | - 91.1 | - 1.66% | $ 5,087,361,897.0 | 746,132,107.0 |
| ALL ORDINARIES | 5,383.5 | - 89.6 | - 1.64% | $ 5,185,390,916.0 | 902,065,737.0 |
| S&P;/ASX 100 | 4,494.1 | - 75.1 | - 1.64% | $ 4,618,040,445.0 | 525,891,309.0 |
| SMALL ORDS | 2,021.2 | - 34.3 | - 1.67% | $ 521,521,517.0 | 317,559,461.0 |
Loan clampdown spreads
ING Direct will force property investors around Australia to stump up bigger deposits and AMP Bank has ceased all new lending to landlords.
Iron ore crunch continues
Equity investors are expecting weeks of reporting season results characterised by the falling dollar and devastated commodity prices.
Stocks leveraged to US bonds
When the bond market experiences volatility, some stocks make money hand over fist.
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Market Summary
Currencies
| AUD | USD | EUR | JPY | GBP | |
| AUD |  |
0.7277 | 0.6558 | 90.69 | 0.4669 |
| USD | 1.3736 |  |
0.901 | 124.6 | 0.6416 |
| EUR | 1.5242 | 1.1097 |  |
138.25 | 0.7117 |
| JPY | 0.0110 | 0.0080 | 0.0072 |  |
0.0051 |
| GBP | 2.1411 | 1.559 | 1.4044 | 194.2 |  |
Stock price lookup
Shares
The stocks you need when times get tough
When the cycle turns and credit is hard to find, a certain type of lender comes into its own.
Reporting trends to watch
There are two key trends that are likely to share the results for many companies this reporting season, UBS says.
Picking reporting season stock trends
How will your portfolio favourites fare through reporting season?
Property
Lending model flawed
An official review of lending standards in the red-hot investor property market is set to reveal serious flaws in how lenders have been assessing customers for credit.
Loan clampdown spreads
ING Direct will force property investors around Australia to stump up bigger deposits and AMP Bank has ceased all new lending to landlords.
More pain ahead for property borrowers
Pressure to pass on higher capital costs to borrowers is likely to spark more interest rate hikes by banks.
Topics
Fixed Income
Bond myths to ignore
Just because the US central bank is on the verge of raising interest rates does not mean bonds are on the brink of collapse.
Traders bet against rate rise
Bond traders are betting on a slower and shallower interest rate trajectory.
Bond woes continue
Fixed interest US rate moves could inflict losses on long bonds.
Specialist Investments
What you must know about ETFs
The tortoise may have beaten the hare but an analogous investment strategy using index funds is not a guaranteed winner.
Gold has further to fall
Gold prices may need to fall another 30 per cent to reach fair value, according to Deutsche Bank.
China ETFs surge ahead
Investors of all stripes are now buying into the China story, with ASX-listed exchange-traded funds proving a popular way to bet on the recent market sell-off.
Topics
Market Intelligence
Employee share scheme pitfalls
Being rewarded with company shares might sound like a windfall but it can turn into a nightmare very quickly.
What to buy as the banks mark time
For two decades, bank shares have been the cornerstone of any well-constructed investment portfolio, but that run looks set to end.
Six tips for investing in Asia’s growth class
Once you’ve decided which way to invest in the next wave of Asian middle-class consumers, take the time to work out your ground rules.
Superannuation
New call to cap super
The head of Westpac Banking Corp’s wealth business will today call for retirees to start paying income tax on annual superannuation earnings of more than $150,000.
SMSF loans likely to stay
A crackdown on lending practices in the $550 billion self-managed super fund industry, which has allowed funds to gear up on property, is looming.
Where to get the best advice on your SMSF
SMSF investors are desperate for good advice, but lack trust. Here’s where to turn.
Topics
New Investor
How to manage your own tax
Don’t be lazy, try doing your own return. It’s easier than you might think.
What’s worrying investors most
A move by the US Federal Reserve to raise interest rates represents the biggest worry among investors as they remain cautious about where to spend their funds, Henderson Group says.
The new investment fads worth avoiding
Looking at previous trends can help guide us on current ones.