![With tax time approaching, it's important for investors to make their deductions work for them.](http://web.archive.org./web/20170608042623im_/https://www.fairfaxstatic.com.au/content/dam/images/z/r/y/9/t/image.related.wideLandscape.460x259.gwla8s.png/1496809166164.jpg)
Investing
![With tax time approaching, it's important for investors to make their deductions work for them.](http://web.archive.org./web/20170608042623im_/https://www.fairfaxstatic.com.au/content/dam/images/z/r/y/9/t/image.related.wideLandscape.460x259.gwla8s.png/1496809166164.jpg)
Lower returns ahead for investors
![Investment returns will grow more slowly than during the post-GFC recovery.](http://web.archive.org./web/20170608042623im_/https://www.fairfaxstatic.com.au/content/dam/images/g/w/h/y/9/d/image.related.landscape.120x80.gwhy1c.png/1496478530382.jpg)
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.
Shares Race ends with most contestants under water
![Ainsworth Game Technology, the poker machine maker, is the best-performing stock tip of all.](http://web.archive.org./web/20170608042623im_/https://www.fairfaxstatic.com.au/content/dam/images/g/u/m/t/x/0/image.related.landscape.120x80.gwit9j.png/1496368110581.jpg)
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.
The only insider info on ASX companies that's legal
![When directors buy or sell shares in their companies, they must disclose this to the ASX and it's public information.](http://web.archive.org./web/20170608042623im_/https://www.fairfaxstatic.com.au/content/dam/images/g/w/f/b/n/w/image.related.landscape.120x80.gwfa84.png/1496733189316.jpg)
You can't read company directors' minds, but you can track when they buy and sell shares.
Tipsters struggle to make headway in lacklustre sharemarket
![The Perth-based real estate and financial services group Ausnet Financial Services is the best-performer of the Shares ...](http://web.archive.org./web/20170608042623im_/https://www.fairfaxstatic.com.au/content/dam/images/g/s/z/2/r/p/image.related.landscape.120x80.gwdmk4.png/1495780937355.jpg)
Another lacklustre week for the sharemarket has left our tipsters largely treading water in week three of the four-week Shares Race.
What the Moneyball story teaches us about investment
![Brad Pitt as Billy Beane and Jonah Hill as Peter Brand in 2011 movie <i>Moneyball</i>. Brand is the fictionalised ...](http://web.archive.org./web/20170608042623im_/https://www.fairfaxstatic.com.au/content/dam/images/g/w/d/6/e/t/image.related.landscape.120x80.gwd6cw.png/1495788620701.jpg)
Does share market investment require a technology-driven approach, or is it not that simple?
Crowdfunding is a force for good, but it's not like going shopping
![Ten-year-old Grace Gregson from year 5 at Seaforth Public School, <i>Crinkling News</i> founder and editor Saffron ...](http://web.archive.org./web/20170608042623im_/https://www.fairfaxstatic.com.au/content/dam/images/g/w/6/n/5/7/image.related.landscape.120x80.gw951a.png/1495596256017.jpg)
Crowdfunding platforms democratise the funding of good ideas, but supporters need to go in with their eyes open.
Fairfax Media best pick of the week as bidding war hots up
![Fairfax Media's share price surged on the back of interest from two US private equity firms.](http://web.archive.org./web/20170608042623im_/https://www.fairfaxstatic.com.au/content/dam/images/1/2/l/4/j/m/image.related.landscape.120x80.gw8h3d.png/1495157643876.jpg)
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.
The one thing most investors get wrong
![Remember: An investment's tax benefits are the cream on the cake.](http://web.archive.org./web/20170608042623im_/https://www.fairfaxstatic.com.au/content/dam/images/g/w/4/p/8/9/image.related.landscape.120x80.gw7lft.png/1495206701987.jpg)
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.
'Trading shares is now a poor man's game'
![Safety has long been the selling point for the Volvo.](http://web.archive.org./web/20170608042623im_/https://www.fairfaxstatic.com.au/content/dam/images/g/w/4/w/v/b/image.related.landscape.120x80.gw4wjt.png/1494924588079.jpg)
The popularity of exchange-traded funds is overstated in Australia, but they play an important role.
Dartboard leads the pack out of the gate with gold producer pick
![Gold producer Blackham Resources is the most strongly-performing stock in week one of the Shares Race .](http://web.archive.org./web/20170608042623im_/https://www.fairfaxstatic.com.au/content/dam/images/g/m/f/b/s/6/image.related.landscape.120x80.gw3b7z.png/1494555685657.jpg)
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.
The budget's lesson for bank shareholders
![The bank tax will affect the Big 4 banks, plus Macquarie Group.](http://web.archive.org./web/20170608042623im_/https://www.fairfaxstatic.com.au/content/dam/images/g/w/1/0/m/k/image.related.landscape.120x80.gw2t28.png/1496732053283.jpg)
Seemingly from out of the blue, Treasurer Scott Morrison decided that the big banks should pay a little more in tax.
If you want to avoid an unwelcome tax slug it's time to get moving
![It's time for action.](http://web.archive.org./web/20170608042623im_/https://www.fairfaxstatic.com.au/content/dam/images/g/r/p/d/a/n/image.related.landscape.120x80.gw1axm.png/1496129862837.jpg)
What you might want to consider doing before the end of the financial year to minimise losses and maximise opportunities.
It's bonds to the rescue as the needle points up for interest rates
![Danica Hampton is Head of Investment Specialists at Citi Wealth](http://web.archive.org./web/20170608042623im_/https://www.fairfaxstatic.com.au/content/dam/images/g/v/z/b/o/b/image.related.landscape.120x80.gvzb5j.png/1493982985980.jpg)
Younger investors may never have made decisions in the environment we are heading into.
The place of LICs in an investment strategy
![If you use a LIC, you can concentrate your energy on trying to time the market.](http://web.archive.org./web/20170608042623im_/https://www.fairfaxstatic.com.au/content/dam/images/g/v/w/8/6/i/image.related.landscape.120x80.gvw83n.png/1495142230512.jpg)
Want to get some more time at the weekend? Try a different investment approach.
Telstra's a tough call for its one million shareholders
![Telstra's share price is under pressure as mobile competition increases.](http://web.archive.org./web/20170608042623im_/https://www.fairfaxstatic.com.au/content/dam/images/g/v/j/w/7/r/image.related.landscape.120x80.gvutqr.png/1493605520104.jpg)
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.
The only racer in the black takes line honours as four-week race ends
![Electro Optic Systems, which supplies technology to the aerospace and defence markets, is the best-performing stock tip ...](http://web.archive.org./web/20170608042623im_/https://www.fairfaxstatic.com.au/content/dam/images/g/l/5/t/c/g/image.related.landscape.120x80.gvueo0.png/1493348332900.jpg)
Fairfax journalist Phil Baker wins the four-week shares race after making modest gains from a good portion of his 10-stock portfolio.
Buying property with your super fund has drawbacks
![If you're investing in property, you're probably better off buying it in your personal name than your self-managed super ...](http://web.archive.org./web/20170608042623im_/https://www.fairfaxstatic.com.au/content/dam/images/g/v/b/g/f/z/image.related.landscape.120x80.gvt6ke.png/1493249063492.jpg)
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.
How to protect yourself from housing bubble downside
![As BrickX chief executive, Anthony Millet heads a fintech start-up that offers a different way to invest in residential ...](http://web.archive.org./web/20170608042623im_/https://www.fairfaxstatic.com.au/content/dam/images/g/s/g/9/d/5/image.related.landscape.120x80.gvr7e2.png/1493159122470.jpg)
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
![A-REITs have done very well, including ALE Property Group, which owns pubs.](http://web.archive.org./web/20170608042623im_/https://www.fairfaxstatic.com.au/content/dam/images/g/t/d/z/4/1/image.related.landscape.120x80.gvoh7d.png/1493132815358.jpg)
The best-performing asset class of the past five years are the listed trusts that own commercial property.
Margin loans are bad for your financial health
![Leverage magnifies both losses and gains.](http://web.archive.org./web/20170608042623im_/https://www.fairfaxstatic.com.au/content/dam/images/g/s/h/k/u/e/image.related.landscape.120x80.gvppku.png/1492751651408.jpg)
Borrowing to invest. The idea is almost as old as investing itself.
Tipsters lose ground as share prices fall across the board
![Mineral sands producer Mineral Deposits is the best-performing stock so far.](http://web.archive.org./web/20170608042623im_/https://www.fairfaxstatic.com.au/content/dam/images/1/0/7/h/x/b/image.related.landscape.120x80.gvpaq2.png/1492743583039.jpg)
It's been a tough week for our tipsters, with all of them slipping in week three of the four-week Shares Race.
The lower the yield, the higher the cost of fees
![<p>](http://web.archive.org./web/20170608042623im_/https://www.fairfaxstatic.com.au/content/dam/images/g/v/m/i/i/8/image.related.landscape.120x80.gvmiel.png/1492521929369.jpg)
Several factors mean we shouldn't be so easily fooled about fees now – well, that's the theory.
Motley Fool: What China collapse?
![A few months ago the smartest people in finance were waxing lyrical on whether the Chinese landing would be "hard" or ...](http://web.archive.org./web/20170608042623im_/https://www.fairfaxstatic.com.au/content/dam/images/g/s/j/a/x/m/image.related.landscape.120x80.gvm0if.png/1496708239793.jpg)
What's the greatest threat to the world economy and our economic prosperity?
Keep the shorting 'hyenas' in your peripheral vision
![Hyenas rarely do the initial damage but once they swoop in, they can quickly become the problem.](http://web.archive.org./web/20170608042623im_/https://www.fairfaxstatic.com.au/content/dam/images/g/r/o/s/z/o/image.related.landscape.120x80.gvk6oj.png/1492390251185.jpg)
All investors and traders should keep shorting activity in their peripheral vision because it highlights stocks that have an issue.
Defence housing offers a defensive yield in low-interest times
![A DHA Housing home in Townsville.](http://web.archive.org./web/20170608042623im_/https://www.fairfaxstatic.com.au/content/dam/images/g/u/y/a/t/2/image.related.landscape.120x80.gvklx1.png/1496722558615.jpg)
The low-interest rate environment is driving rising numbers of private investors to put some of their money into housing for Australian Defence Force members.
Reshuffle of the racer ranks in volatile market
![Afterpay, which lets retailers offer consumers a buy-now-pay-later service, was one of the best stocks in the Shares ...](http://web.archive.org./web/20170608042623im_/https://www.fairfaxstatic.com.au/content/dam/images/g/u/y/y/2/9/image.related.landscape.120x80.gvkp5s.png/1494896682432.jpg)
The Shares Race is still anyone's game.
The real foe for Coles, Woolies
![Costco has grabbed a 1 per cent share of the grocery business.](http://web.archive.org./web/20170608042623im_/https://www.fairfaxstatic.com.au/content/dam/images/g/r/t/4/x/8/image.related.landscape.120x80.gvk5es.png/1492045420185.jpg)
The big box retailer has big ambitions… and runs on the board.
Top Australian share funds named
![There are some fund managers with a track record of outperforming the market.](http://web.archive.org./web/20170608042623im_/https://www.fairfaxstatic.com.au/content/dam/images/g/t/h/f/m/i/image.related.landscape.120x80.gvd6sa.png/1491953010731.jpg)
It was not all that long ago that some fund managers had star status with investors.
Who's to blame when bad investments hit the wall?
![Despite public concerns, Nant kept advertising its scheme of selling barrels of whisky and cattle.](http://web.archive.org./web/20170608042623im_/https://www.fairfaxstatic.com.au/content/dam/images/g/m/n/v/b/h/image.related.landscape.120x80.gvhbpp.png/1491866365647.jpg)
Everyone has the right to be stupid and blow their savings – and then to complain bitterly about it afterwards.