The Adviser Talk

If you are wrestling with a prickly investment question or simply hoping to seek some financial advice, engaging a financial adviser might sound appealing. But searching for one who would put your interest above all can quickly get confusing. NOT ANYMORE! The information provided, or any opinions expressed in this show, are of a general nature only and should not be construed or relied on as a rec...

Many people want to align their environmental views with their portfolio objectives. But can you support your values while maintaining sound investment principles and pursuing higher expected returns? Here are three important questions that are important to ask your financial adviser. The information provided, or any opinions expressed in this show, are of a general nature only and should not be c...

It’s easy to view the stories of market speculation that have dominated the news recently as cautionary tales for individual investors. With swings by GameStop stock grabbing headlines, this is probably a good time to mention that investing and gambling are not the same thing. The information provided, or any opinions expressed in this show, are of a general nature only and should not be cons...

On 27th January 2021, Stewart Group completed 34 years as a comprehensive financial planning firm with evidence-based investments and risk insurance expertise. Stewart Group in 2021 bears very little resemblance to the business that Don Stewart set up 34 years ago. A lot was done since 1987 to stay on our toes as far as the newest financial regulations go. In this podcast, Don & Nick Stewart c...

On 27th January 2021 , Stewart Group completed 34 years as a comprehensive, independent financial planning firm with evidence-based investments and risk insurance expertise.  Stewart Group in 2021 bears very little resemblance to the business that Don Stewart set up 34 years ago. A lot was done since 1987 to stay on our toes as far as the newest financial regulations go. However, one thing th...

People with money in the bank are getting the lowest rates of interest since the 1960s and those rates could still fall further, it is warned. According to Newsroom's Business Editor Nikki Mandow, more than a third of the money New Zealanders have in our Aussie-owned banks is earning us no interest - or virtually none. And it’s costing us somewhere between $400 million and $900 million a year in l...

Many investors took advantage of the market turmoil in March to rotate into socially-conscious ESG investing. You’ve probably heard the term. ESG investing is the integration of Environmental, Social and Governance factors into the fundamental investment process. It may also be termed sustainable investing. It is a wide term as it can cover several areas, but essentially, it’s for investors who co...

As a society, we are finally beginning to have more honest and supportive public conversations about mental health, but too often the connection between mental health and money hasn’t been recognised. Financial stress is a major factor in many of our lives today. Some people may be facing an uncertain financial future, given the potential impact on everyday life, our jobs and income. The informati...

Okay, this one created quite a stir in financial circles. ANZ Investment Services (New Zealand) decided to stop Bonus Bonds and wind up the investment scheme by the end of October and return funds to bondholders. Folks are weighing up their options and wanting to know what is the best investment vehicle out there to put their Bonus Bonds money in as the ANZ's 50-year-old scheme will be wound up wi...

Investing during an election year can be tough on the nerves and 2020 promises to be no different. By now, most people are aware that our world – especially the situation with COVID-19 pandemic – is changing and developing lightning fast. In its latest interest rate decision on 12th August, the Reserve Bank of New Zealand maintained its official cash rate at 0.25 per cent but also raised the possi...

Although the outcome of any election is uncertain, one thing we can count on is that plenty of opinions and predictions will be floated in the months and days leading up to Election Day. In financial circles, we will almost certainly hear perceptions and views of market impacts. But, do election results really matter and need to be followed closely by long-term investors, or is it just noise that...

Whatever the cause, investors should remember: volatility is typically a short-term phenomenon, and retirement is a long-term prospect. Sticking to a long-term investment plan can be one way to offset the stresses of volatility. The information provided, or any opinions expressed in this show, are of a general nature only and should not be construed or relied on as a recommendation to invest in a...

We are absolutely thrilled with our recent KiwiSaver 'Free Money' campaign results. 75% of our KiwiSaver clients received full government contributions ($521.43) this year, i.e. $500,000 'Free Money' from the government to our eligible KiwiSaver clients. The information provided, or any opinions expressed in this show, are of a general nature only and should not be construed or relied on as a reco...

In mid-January 2020, China was announcing confirmed human to human contact of Covid-19, locking down Wuhan province and building temporary hospitals. While many investment managers carried out daily operations, some had their eye on China. Nucleus Wealth was one. It is a small active manager in Melbourne with an international focus. The call was made in late January. They dumped their clients’ inv...

Published on 23 June 2020. The coronavirus-induced economic downturn is taking a toll on a popular source of investment income for retires: dividends. Dividend stocks are a staple of every income investor, and they can play an important role in any portfolio, regardless of age and financial circumstances. But it is very much possible that dividend investors can fall into the trap of hindsight bias...

The spectre of zero and negative interest rates are looming over the New Zealand financial market and those looking for a haven can't find much relief. Last week, the Reserve Bank of New Zealand (RBNZ) deputy governor Geoff Bascand suggested at least some bank depositors might want to put their money to use elsewhere. The information provided, or any opinions expressed in this show, are of a gener...

Published on 15 June 2020. Do you find it confusing when a bleak economic report emerges from the press, only to be accompanied by a positive surge in the global share market? You're not alone. The last few months have produced many examples of a stark contrast between global market performance and economic indicators. The information provided, or any opinions expressed in this show, are of a gene...

Published on 6 June 2020. Investing FOMO is when you watch a share price soar to new highs, and you realise you missed out on the opportunity. You might spend the next hours, days, weeks thinking about what could have been the returns. This type of self-talk and do-it-yourself financial planning is damaging to your mental health and retirement goals. The information provided, or any opinions expre...

Financial hardship applications for KiwiSaver could spike up substantially in the second half of the year as the 12-week employer wage subsidy period comes to a close, experts predict. The information provided, or any opinions expressed in this show, are of a general nature only and should not be construed or relied on as a recommendation to invest in a financial product or class of financial prod...

The government has unveiled Budget 2020 under the most challenging economic conditions since 1984 and with expectations from the whole nation that it will cushion the economy from the fallout from COVID-19, the stakes are surely high. This budget is seen as the voyager for our journey around the dark side of the moon. The information provided, or any opinions expressed in this show, are of a gener...

The COVID-19 pandemic has forced organisations and individuals to embrace new practices such as social distancing and remote working. While the world is focused on the health and economic threats posed by COVID-19, cyber criminals around the world undoubtedly are capitalizing on this crisis. The guest on this podcast Martyn Levy owns and leads Nextro (formerly called as Acurix Networks NZ), a spec...

On 29 April 2020, the Reserve Bank removed the high LVR restrictions for 12 months in response to the economic impact of the COVID-19. The information provided, or any opinions expressed in this show, are of a general nature only and should not be construed or relied on as a recommendation to invest in a financial product or class of financial products. You should seek financial advice specific to...

COVID-19 has got the attention of the world, in New Zealand we are looking at the rapidly evolving threat around the economic recovery. The four weeks level 4 shutdown impacted the business community across the country, potentially sending unemployment numbers as high as 25 per cent. The information provided, or any opinions expressed in this show, are of a general nature only and should not be co...

Stressful events such as the current bear market are an unpleasant reality, with many investors trying to wish away negatives results in the hope they become a distant memory, but they also provide incredibly important lessons for investors and financial advisers. The information provided, or any opinions expressed in this show, are of a general nature only and should not be construed or relied on...

Periodic rebalancing is generally a good way to keep your investments on track and to prevent your portfolio from changing too drastically during volatile markets – like the one we are experiencing now with COVID-19 outbreak. The information provided, or any opinions expressed in this show, are of a general nature only and should not be construed or relied on as a recommendation to invest in a fin...