Investment strategies

RNZ Radio 8 October 2020

What is investment risk and what can you do about it?
New free booklet I wrote: Hit and Myths — an introductory guide to investing — at fma.govt.nz
Today we look at one of the booklet’s 8 Myths About Investing: “Investing is too risky”. Types of risk:
– You won’t get the return you want because of inflation
– You won’t get the return you want because of volatility
– You’ll lose some or all of your money
Importance of diversification
You can also watch a webinar I did with FMA on investing, at fma.govt.nz

Read More

NZ Herald 3 October 2020

Q&As:
– Rule shows how long it takes for an investment — and a debt — to double
– One reader quits Bonus Bonds for term deposits…
– … While another suggests a way to keep the fun rolling on
– Bonus Bonds exit annoys businessman
– Move from term deposits into KiwiSaver fund ups the volatility
– Better to leave the money in two countries than one
Plus:
– Your questions, a webinar and a guide to investing

Read More

NZ Herald 12 September 2020

Q&As:
– Compound interest can do astounding things over long periods
– Could helping adult children through an offset mortgage leave parents in the lurch?
– How do others on average incomes save for a house?
– The risks for Bonus Bond holders in waiting for the wind-up
– What if you think your deceased relative had unredeemed Bonus Bonds?

Read More

RNZ Radio 27 August 2020

The next downturn — in shares, KiwiSaver and other managed funds — might be longer.
But first — comments on what to do about the demise of Bonus Bonds.
– FMA survey on investor confidence.
– Race between NZ and world share markets to recover from Covid downturn.
– Recovery not just shares rebounding, but also bonds.
– Next time we could easily have shares down for longer, and bonds also falling.

Read More

RNZ Radio 16 July 2020

Why drip feeding (or dollar cost averaging) is often best
Example: Non-employees depositing $87 a month into KiwiSaver
– You don’t forget it!
– Easier to budget
– Probable better return in KiwiSaver than in bank
– Most importantly — spread your contributions out.
– Dollar cost averaging in other situations: employees in KiwiSaver, other savings, moving from one risk level to another, moving money between countries
– What about when you have a lump sum to deposit?

Read More

NZ Herald 27 June 2020

Q&As:
– Government KiwiSaver contributions to over 65s wouldn’t work, or be fair
– How reader with cancer could set up her savings
– Over how long should you drip-feed a lump sum into an investment?
– Is weekly drip-feeding better than monthly?
– I suggest reader takes rental property off the market …
– … but she’s sold it! Don’t put proceeds into another rental

Read More

NZ Herald 16 May 2020

Q&As:
– Am I helping the big guys at the expense of small investors?
– Why you might want to be in more than one of your provider’s KiwiSaver funds
– Tax on KiwiSaver and other funds is gentle
– Limit buys can work well when buying shares
– Investing versus paying down mortgage in low-rate environment …
– … and taking diversification into account
– Be in KiwiSaver as well as making extra mortgage payments
– Take mortgage “holiday” or spend savings?

Read More

NZ Herald 9 May 2020

Q&As:
– Who’s right about fund choice — husband or wife or neither?
– Which bank products are subject to haircut if bank fails?
– What about government bonds, Bonus Bonds and safe deposit boxes?
– Halt to dividend payments should strengthen banks
– ETF tax problem no big deal
– It’s great to continue contributions to KiwiSaver and other funds in down markets
– Don’t assume gloom will continue — and a look at past recoveries
– Drip feeding not quite so good with lump sums

Read More

NZ Herald 18 April 2020

Q&As:
– New share investors should skip single shares and use a fund
– Short-term share trading up — but most people don’t win
– Index funds proving themselves in down markets
– How “Preservation Fund” lost money — and is it better than bank term deposit?
– Angry reader wants gold in NZ dollars — but would it boost his case?
– Last week’s gold fan takes another look
– Gold helps with diversification

Read More

Money Talk April 2020

Hope for the best, but expect the worst

If you’re investing in shares, always assume a downturn might be just around the corner — as recent events have dramatically shown!

Read More