The 3 I’s: inflation, interest rates and investing
January 2021
Having greater exposure to risk in the current environment where interest rates are more likely to rise than fall further, leaves portfolios vulnerable to losses if the interest rate regime suddenly shifts higher. In response, with the risk of both inflation and continued disinflation at the fore, MLC’s investment team continues to take measured steps to embrace risk where they believe it will be rewarded for the multi-asset portfolios.
MLC's scenario insights and portfolio positioning
January 2021
Al Clark, Head of Investments, Ben McCaw, Senior Portfolio Manager, and John Woods, Portfolio Manager, explain MLC's assessment of the current market environment, pandemic scenarios that may play out, and how MLC multi-asset portfolios are positioned. This update includes commentary on the new MLC Managed Account Strategies.
Prepare for reflation. Yes, you read that right.
October 2020
We may be transitioning from lowest-cost, ‘just in time’ production to relatively higher-cost, ‘just in case’ production. This type of de-globalisation will result in higher wages and prices. In response, MLC’s investment team is increasingly seeking exposure to a diverse set of assets that offer some degree of inflation protection at a reasonable cost for the multi-asset portfolios.
Private equity through thick and thin
September 2020
Private equity funds, specifically “buyout” PE funds that raised capital on the heels of the dot com bust and the GFC, outperformed listed share markets.
‘Financial repression’ driving investors into shares
July 2020
Despite diversification being compromised, responsible investors can’t give up on it. Rather, it needs to be pursued in different ways.
Disconnect between markets and the economy: what's going on?
July 2020
Many competing forces at work and investment professionals must be nimble to steer their clients’ portfolios through this complicated situation.
Leveraging big data in equity markets
July 2020
The way 21st century quants gather and analyse information and deploy it is a far cry from quantitative investing, as it’s been traditionally understood.
Is value investing worth it?
June 2020
Arguments against value investing and value stocks seem skewed, at this moment. Ironically, this brings us closer to the time when value investing can return to its place in the investment sun.
In the Storm: The Outlook for Global REIT's
April 2020
Volatility in the financial markets has increased, with share prices for global stocks, including REITs, changing dramatically from week to week.
Australian shares: spot check
April 2020
Ordinarily, companies abandoning earnings guidance would be thrashed by the market, but these are not ordinary times.
Pandemic a shock, but not a surprise
April 2020
MLC discusses COVID-19 and how at times like this, true investors, true managers of risk, need to focus on identifying uncertainty and hammering out solutions to deal with the unknown, all the while preserving as much client wealth as possible.
What our investment managers are saying
26 March 2020
Our external investment managers are maintaining their discipline, and looking for opportunities to buy quality assets that have been sold-off.
Video: Market update
13 March 2020
Both share markets and credit markets have had a particularly challenging month, and this has been driven by two factors: preventing the spread of COVID-19, and the sharp drop in the oil price. Dr Ben McCaw, Portfolio Manager at MLC, discusses.
Video: Market update
12 March 2020
Markets are continuing to be volatile as investors react to the news about economic growth and global trade being disrupted by the coronavirus and oil prices. Jonathan Armitage, Chief Investment Officer at MLC, discusses.
Data Center: A hotspot for REIT investors
March 2020
An explosion of data also means growing demand for data centres. That's also creating opportunities for data centre REITs.
Capturing coronavirus and other remote possibilities in the Investment Futures Framework
March 2020
Due to the Investment Futures Framework, our portfolios were not caught completely unawares by the coronavirus outbreak and that may provide some reassurance for our clients.
Investment market impacts of coronavirus. Part II
February 2020
Markets are realising that economic dislocations stemming from the coronavirus outbreak may be more significant than previously assumed.
Active and passive investing — stronger together
February 2020
The active investing vs passive investing debate is overblown. Together, they form an intelligent partnership resulting in stronger total portfolios than just passive only or active only portfolios.
Investment market impacts of coronavirus
February 2020
Trying to measure the coronavirus-impact on Australian companies is fraught. There’s a natural human desire for clear-cut answers, but that’s not always possible when putting industries under a microscope.
Flat earnings growth but share markets rocketed. What gives?
January 2020
MLC discusses how 2019 ended with the global share market up despite lacklustre earnings growth, and how we are defensively positioning portfolios considering the many possible scenarios.
Infographic: 2019 year in review
January 2020
Despite macro concerns, 2019 was a good year for investors. In early January, with 2019 behind us, MLC's Portfolio Specialist John Owen will provide you with a review of what happened in investment markets over the year.
2019 calendar year in review
January 2020
Despite macro concerns, 2019 was a good year for investors. In early January, with 2019 behind us, MLC's Portfolio Specialist John Owen will provide you with a review of what happened in investment markets over the year.
ASX ex-20 stocks: the sweet spot for earnings power
December 2019
Many Australians’ equity portfolios have a large cap bias. However, broadening equity exposure to ASX ex-20 stocks provides access to potentially even more earnings power capable of driving greater total returns.
Equity income to address the income recession
December 2019
Low interest rates are a headwind for people reliant on savings-interest related income. Despite this, the income cupboard isn't bare. Shares, especially Australian shares, are a sizeable income provider.
Diversification and being fee-smart always in vogue
December 2019
Diversification and being fee-smart are timeless investment principles. They’re not magic bullets, but have served generations of investors.
Nimbleness especially important amid geo-political risks
November 2019
MLC discusses continued trade tensions keeping markets on edge, the slow-motion Brexit drama persisting in the UK, and how MLC is defensively positioning portfolios considering the many possible scenarios.
LCS: delivering true diversification
October 2019
A low-correlation strategy increases diversification as the portfolio will move independently of broader markets, which is vital to protect portfolios from unexpected market shocks.
Read more about why implementation matters more than you think
Why implementation matters more than you think
September 2019
Implementation involves the movement and daily management of investment assets, and while that may sound simple, doing it efficiently is a vital cost-saver.
Read more about why implementation matters more than you think
"How good" is liquidity
August 2019
Investment markets are cyclical and as past events have shown, also vulnerable to shocks, which can potentially create liquidity challenges. Responsible investment managers need to be prepared for whatever happens.
Read more about why implementation matters more than you think
The liquidity landscape has changed
July 2019
When it comes to liquidity, it’s the scrutiny of investment managers that matters most. When the next market disruption occurs central banks may not be able to bail markets out.
Manager changes in MLC's global strategies
March 2019
We've made some changes to our global shares investment managers and their weights. We’ve increased the strategy’s active stock positions by reducing the managers from seven to six – removing Harding Loevner. We expect these changes to slightly improve the return potential of our global shares strategies.
