The world of finance is no stranger to the cautionary tales of fear and greed. The recent collapse of one of Australia’s biggest financial advisory groups, Dixon Advisory and Superannuation Services, is an unfortunate example of how greed and professional misconduct can have lasting and devastating consequences – particularly for individuals who place their trust […]
Extra, Extra, Don’t Read All About It
This article was originally featured on the Align Financial blog on 18 December 2018. If you’re reading the investment headlines in the news around this time of year, then you might start to feel a bit of anxiety around whether your investments are well placed. Reading the news is one thing but acting on it […]
ESG Investing – what is it and how does it work?
In recent years, ESG investing (also called sustainable, ethical or responsible investing) has taken a more prominent role in management and investment decisions. But what exactly does ESG mean, and how does it affect your investment portfolio? ESG stands for Environmental, Social, and Governance and is a way of measuring and assessing a firm’s sustainability […]
An introduction to Testamentary Trusts
If you have a Will in place, you could be mistaken for thinking that your estate planning is taken care of. But have you considered if your Will can stand up to obstacles that your children may face such as divorce, bankruptcy, long-term illness? One way lawyers protect against such events is by incorporating Testamentary […]
Currency Hedging
If your portfolio contains assets held in a foreign currency, there is a risk that returns might be impacted by fluctuations in exchange rates. As a result, it can be worthwhile knowing how currency fluctuations impact returns. But what exactly is currency hedging, and is it worth the extra costs? How do currency fluctuations affect […]