Quick read – Summary: We launched the first edition of the quarterly BetaShares Global ETF Review – analysing the key trends & developments in the industry outside Australia. The global ETF industry ended 2018 at US$4.8 trillion in assets under management (AuM), posting a robust annual growth rate of 20% since 2005. In the US in 2018,  passive funds

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Reading time: 3 min Currency, for most investors, has always been a topic that causes consternation. While many investors recognise the diversification value that international investments can bring, the fact that, by definition, such investments bring with them currency considerations adds an additional element to the decision. There is no doubt that managing the currency

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Industry starts the year on a new record high! In a month that is typically quiet for the Australian ETF industry, the industry started off the year strongly, reaching a fresh record high of $42.5B total industry FuM at month end. The industry’s total market cap increased by ~4.3% ($1.7B) – the second largest monthly

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While my “on hold” call for the RBA turned out correct last year, I now expect the RBA to cut the cash rate this year, and twice by early-2020.  This reflects a weakening in a range of economic indicators and the Reserve Bank’s own acknowledgement of more downside risks. Economic Storm Clouds Let’s start with

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Major Asset Classes – global equities storm back Global equities returned a strong 7.3% in local currency terms during January, unwinding their 7.2% slump in December.  The return in $A terms, however, was a more muted 4.5% reflecting a rebound in the Australian dollar over the month. Several factors supported the equity rebound, though the

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This blog was updated in February 2019. With the longest bull market run in history maturing, it may be time to start thinking about strategies and solutions that offer protection from volatility and falling markets. A number of commentators and investment market analysts now believe that after significant market rises in 2017 and a mixed

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We are pleased to be involved with the Australian Shareholders’ Association (ASA) upcoming series of events: ‘Building a well-balanced portfolio – The role of Exchange Traded Funds’. These events will take place across 4 cities during March, including: MELBOURNE    Fri 15 March 2019 at the Melbourne Convention & Exhibition Centre BRISBANE       

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Shaken, not stirred! Despite dramatic sharemarket volatility throughout 2018, the Global ETF industry recorded significant growth over the year, reaching its 2nd highest level of net inflows ($US516B) and maintaining the positive growth trend. The Australian ETF industry ended the year with funds under management (FuM) of ~$41B – just shy of the record $42B, achieved in September.

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As a high growth sector with strong exposure to Asian markets, it’s no surprise that global robotics companies suffered a setback with the downturn in global equity markets in 2018.  That said, given the strong longer-term outlook for robotics remains generally undiminished, the recent pull back in prices has improved valuations and may provide investors

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The current equity market slump, including ‘Shocktober”, has once again shown the value that bonds can play in investors’ portfolios in terms of offering some downside protection. While this may be obvious to some, what is perhaps less obvious is that compared to the traditional benchmark bond indices which are generally heavily weighted to low-yielding

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