Investing
INVESTMENT
Time to switch to positive gearing
John Collett Australians' obsession with property investment is about to be tested.
THE MOTLEY FOOL
Own airline shares? Sell!
Scott Phillips Qantas has done well for investors. Perhaps for not much longer.
THE HONEST BROKER
Are you investing, or invested?
Marcus Padley The danger of passive investing under the mantle of a long-term focus is highlighted by the fact that most of the 10 biggest stocks in Australia have a share price lower than one, five or 10 years ago.
BANKS
Big bank 'dividend trade' far from over, analysts say
John Collett Increasing bad debt provisions, dividends under threat and falling share prices are giving long-term big-bank shareholders pause to think.
EVISER
Why most trading software doesn't work
Richard Livingston The thought of using the skills of a trading expert, via a computer program, can be alluring.
SUPER & FUNDS
Telstra dividend still a good call
John Collett BHP Billiton has cut its dividend and there's speculation about the big banks, but Telstra's dividend looks secure.
SHARES RACE
Great start to the Shares Race for all-female line-up
Vanessa Desloires A fresh Shares Race has kicked off and a strong rally on the Australian sharemarket has sent all but one contestant off to a flying start.
INVESTMENT 101
It's time for equality to arrive for investors
Scott Phillips I've written many, many column inches, trying to encourage people to invest. I truly think that – after looking after your health and your relationships – it's perhaps the most important thing you can do for yourself and your family.
INTELLIGENT INVESTOR
Three steps to ease the investing pain
James Greenhalgh No one said investing was meant to be easy.
MONEY BRAIN
Why women make great investors
Catherine Robson To say that Warren Buffett invests like a girl is somewhat controversial, but the book of this name posits that many of the attributes which make him so successful are natural to women.
QUIRKY INVESTMENTS
The $135,000 number plate
James Cockington There are people driving around today with number plates worth more than their cars.
THE HONEST BROKER
When 'defensive' assets turn dangerous
Marcus Padley At some price every stock becomes dangerous, even so-called defensive assets such as Transurban and Sydney Airport.
QUIRKY INVESTMENTS
The currency of World War II refugees
James Cockington There's a rare chance to buy banknotes used by refugees in internment camps during the Second World War.
INTELLIGENT INVESTOR
The other great duopoly
Graham Witcomb There's Coles and Woolies, Qantas and Virgin, but the new duopoly in town is Primary Health Care and Sonic Healthcare.
THE MOTLEY FOOL
What we learnt from earnings season
Scott Phillips Let's look at some of the highlights of earnings season and their implications.
Shares Race: It's as good as gold for the dartboard
Vanessa Desloires At the end of the five week shares race, it was the dartboard that hit the er, bullseye.
INVESTMENT 101
Dividends, so much better than rent and interest
Scott Phillips Have you ever wondered why so many investors are enamoured with dividends?
ASK NOEL
Are volatile shares worth the pain?
Noel Whittaker A reader asks Noel Whittaker how dividend income overcomes the volatility of shares.
SHARES RACE
Chartist edges out the Dartboard to take lead
John Collett The chartist, Richard Pritchard, has swapped places with the Dartboard to take the lead in week four of the shares race.
THE MOTLEY FOOL
Don't invest by looking backwards
Scott Phillips The rear vision mirror isn't for looking forwards - extrapolation from the past can lead investors astray.
INTELLIGENT INVESTOR
Seven steps to start investing in shares
James Greenhalgh Believe it or not, now is a great time to begin investing in shares.
INSIGHT
Reasons for bank shareholders not to panic
Clancy Yeates The plunge in bank shares may not be as scary as it looks.
SUPER & FUNDS
Fear drives surge in gold price
John Collett The gold price has risen about 20 per cent since the start of this year.
QUIRKY INVESTMENTS
Vintage skateboards in hot demand
James Cockington Prices for vintage skateboards have taken off over the past 10 years or so.
WELL HEELED
Why shares are like shoes
Melissa Browne If you think investing in the sharemarket is just a form of gambling but know you should learn more about it, read on.
INTELLIGENT INVESTOR
Why small investors should welcome volatility
John Addis Volatility on global sharemarkets is scaring the pants off professional and retail investors alike. It shouldn't.
SHARES RACE
Shares Race: Week 3 - Horror week on markets relegates most racers into the red
Gareth Hutchens The Dartboard still reigns. Richard Pritchard is still coming second. But they're the only contestants who remain in the black.
THE MOTLEY FOOL
Icarus stocks return to Earth
Scott Phillips Flying too high can be dangerous, as companies such as Ansell, A2 Milk and Blackmores are experiencing.
INVESTMENT 101
The real definition of risk
Scott Phillips Throw away the textbooks: investment risk is not the same as volatility.
THE HONEST BROKER
A rubbish week but let's keep perspective
Marcus Padley The slump in market sentiment is getting out of hand.