​The US list of most respected companies is out. Who would make the cut here?

For years I have been going on about the power of investing small sums of money.

Women are more risk averse and this translates positively in returns.

For a combination of reasons, index-following managed and exchange traded funds have become increasingly popular with both individual and institutional investors.

Are providers being too clever with the latest breed of the funds that use "smart beta" strategies that increase the risks for investors and have fees twice that of vanilla exchange traded funds (ETFs).

This year was going to be different.

• COMMENT

So far, financial year superannuation fund returns have been good with the prospect of double digit returns if world share markets don't tank in June.

The Shares Race has ended with a whimper, as six of our eight tipsters finished the four-week race with less than their original $100,000.

You can't read company directors' minds, but you can track when they buy and sell shares.

• SHARES RACE

Another lacklustre week for the sharemarket has left our tipsters largely treading water in week three of the four-week Shares Race.

• COMMENT

Does share market investment require a technology-driven approach, or is it not that simple?

Crowdfunding platforms democratise the funding of good ideas, but supporters need to go in with their eyes open.

• SHARES RACE

Our tipsters are left in the red in week two of the four-week Shares Race, following the midweek sell-off on Australian and global sharemarkets.

There is anecdotal evidence that regulatory measures and budget proposals are having an effect on the housing market, which is a sad reflection on the mentality of the average property investor.

The popularity of exchange-traded funds is overstated in Australia, but they play an important role.

• SHARES RACE

The Dartboard's on top in week one of the new four-week Shares Race with its "pick" of Blackham Resources the strongest performer so far.

Seemingly from out of the blue, Treasurer Scott Morrison decided that the big banks should pay a little more in tax.

What you might want to consider doing before the end of the financial year to minimise losses and maximise opportunities.

• COMMENT

Younger investors may never have made decisions in the environment we are heading into.

Want to get some more time at the weekend? Try a different investment approach.

Telstra's more than one million shareholders will not be pleased with the sustained slide in the share price since the start of this year to be trading in the low $4 range now.

Fairfax journalist Phil Baker wins the four-week shares race after making modest gains from a good portion of his 10-stock portfolio.

Whether or not the government removes the ability of self-managed super funds to borrow to purchase property or other investments, the implications for investors are relatively minor.

• ANALYSIS

When looking at investing in property, you need to build in a buffer to help you withstand any dramatic changes.

The best-performing asset class of the past five years are the listed trusts that own commercial property.

Borrowing to invest. The idea is almost as old as investing itself.

It's been a tough week for our tipsters, with all of them slipping in week three of the four-week Shares Race.

Several factors mean we shouldn't be so easily fooled about fees now – well, that's the theory.

What's the greatest threat to the world economy and our economic prosperity?