The Stonehouse Core Value Portfolio ended June slightly negative -0.17% in what proved to be a volatile month. On a positive note, the Portfolio ended the April – June quarter up +2.1%, building on gains from the previous quarter. Our Australian equity managers continued to do well and to outperform the index, with SGH ICE…
Interest rates for Interest Only (I/O) mortgages have increased in the last 3 to 6 months by an average of 0.55% across the big 4 Australian banks and even more by a lot of 2nd tier lenders. Compounding the problem for many, interest rates for Investors have also increased by an average of 0.58% (average…
The Stonehouse Core Value Portfolio maintained its positive momentum for the year returning +0.87% in May and is now up +5.1% over the last 6 months, a welcome result given the difficult period experienced through late 2016. For the month, the Australian share market fell -2.8%, significantly underperforming the MSCI World (in USD Terms) which…
The end of financial year is always a busy period for individuals and businesses as they scramble to get their affairs in order before the June 30 deadline. Here are some tips to maximise your tax savings and add some value to your circumstances and some traps to avoid in the weeks leading up to…
Are you thinking of renovating your house or property? Renovating a property is more than just a pure financial decision. It can have significant implications not only for your cash flow, but also for your lifestyle. So before you get things rolling, pause and make sure you’ve considered everything. To help make renovating worry-free and…
The Stonehouse Core Value Portfolio (CVP) rose +1.42% in April, outperforming Australian and Global equity markets which both returned +1.0% for the month. Our global equity managers produced strong positive returns, with the major contributors including Lazard Global Small Caps (+4.4%) and Northcape Emerging Markets (+4.8%), along with broader market managers Platinum (+3.5%), Wingate (+2.7%)…
The 2017-18 Federal Budget was recently delivered by Treasurer Scott Morrison. Its overall aim is to foster ‘Fairness, Opportunity and Security’ with a vision to return the budget to a $7.4 billion surplus in 2021. The Budget’s proposed sensible measures were founded on these four main principles: Ensuring stronger growth to provide more and better…
The Stonehouse Core Value Portfolio (CVP) rose +1.05% for the month of March, consolidating gains of +1.47% for the quarter. Within our equity exposures, solid performers were found amongst our active Global equity managers Platinum (+3.3%) and Wingate (+2.1%). Our Australian equity holdings Allan Gray (+3.9%) and IML Equity Income (+2.8%) showed strong gains along…
Over the past two decades in Australia we have experienced the federal government’s policy shift for citizens to become more self-sufficient in their retirement. The move by the government is intended to reduce the pressure on social security system given that we are faced with an ageing population issue. The effects of this move have…