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From 1 July 2017 there are changes to non-concessional (post tax) contributions. The contribution cap will drop to $100,000 per year and non-concessional contributions will be restricted if your total super balance exceeds $1.6 million. Further, the bring forward of non-concessional contributions will still be allowed under age 65, however, transitional measures will apply.

The ‘Fair and Sustainable Superannuation’ package announced in the 2016/17 Budget contains the most significant superannuation changes since 2007. Many of these proposals became law on 29 November 2016.

Christopher Hall speaks with Kris Walesby, Head of ANZ ETFS, about the current market and addresses the questions investors are asking. 

Ok, another year is nearing its conclusion. How did that happen? Where did the year go, is it just me of is time passing by faster and faster each year?

By the end of 2016 more than 80 companies will have floated on the ASX. Six IPOs are showing returns better than double, one has done 15x times the issue price and three have halved investors’ money.

For many Australians, it is a reality that at some point the family home will be sold (voluntarily or not) to prepare for, fund or fuel retirement. It is a complex decision with many moving parts. Like most complex, multi-dimensional financial decisions, a financial adviser is best placed to help you navigate through all the financial considerations and tradeoffs.

Investors support the White Knight’s second stab at freeing the Aurora’s unitholders.

Returns of 5% are feasible for stable, utility-based socially responsible investing. Just recently technology has turned the tables so that solar power generation is now cost-competitive to fossil fuels – and is getting more competitive. We’ll explore the reasons why and the key mile stones every investor should check for.

To have a meaningful impact there are four main objectives for the SMSF portfolio to reach. After the slew of new ETFs and other products on the ASX, investors are now spoilt for choice. But the challenge facing investors is knowing how to put these products to use in an SMSF. Here’s a guide of what to look for and some of the companies we’re using in portfolios right now.

We are now ready to look at Transition to Retirement in action.

We continue with this 10 year anniversary, 3 part series on The Transition to Retirement Strategy.

Netflix (NFLX.US) has been growing above expectations and rewarding investors willing to back the ever-growing market darling. Early trading indicates that the stock is likely to open 20% up tonight. The real kicker is flowing from their own moving-making.

This year is the 10 year anniversary of the Transition to Retirement Strategy. This fact combined with the number of questions we still get from would be clients about how the strategy works, I thought I would put together this 3 part series on the subject. So let’s start with some basics.

Let’s start at the beginning. The beginning is the end.

Market is up 3.8% this fortnight off the back of a 5% fall from the previous period. Telstra Buy Back is closing on Friday. Here is the calculator I use to see how much money clients will make in the TLS buy-back.

The German giant Bayer is buying the US giant Monsanto to make the world’s largest acquisition of 2016. Immediately Aussie investors focus in on the next take-over that might be hiding on the ASX. Kevin Hua and Hugh Dive walk us through the opportunities and impacts on the ASX.

Christopher Hall discusses with Hugh Dive, from Aurora Funds Management, what are the catalysts when looking to short the market and do we short today?

There’s always another Hybrid coming. That’s been the way for a decade or so now.

Christopher Hall discusses with Richard Murphy, CEO of Australian Corporate Bond Company (XTB), how Hybrids compare to Fixed Interest and Term Deposits. 

ANZ have furiously been sending out letters to all their shareholders offering a priority entry into their latest capital raising offer, the ANZ Capital Notes 4.

With everybody writing about the recent share market falls I thought something different was in order. Let’s talk about annuities. The least exciting thing I could think of, but not entirely inappropriate in the context of trying to balance out the risk within a portfolio.

Mining Services companies show stellar performances closely followed by small luxuries delivering strong results. In this market update Christopher Hall looks at the leading shares and themes of the past fortnight.

Reporting Season insights – Mining Services & Small Luxuries stay strong – Tech stocks sounding the alarm bells

1. 4% is the average