Your investment solutions are the final step in the planning and selection process but, having the right investments will ultimately determine whether you DO achieve your objectives or not. That’s why we put a lot of research and proactive thought into the selection and recommendations of your investment options at the beginning and in the future.

We don’t use ‘balanced funds’, nor do we use ‘index hugging’ passive funds. These are the tools of mediocrity. We only use investments that have a heartbeat.

Our belief is that you should be ‘educated’ as to what is normal market behaviour (that should be called ‘volatility’) and distinguish that from the likelihood of permanent loss of your capital or failure to meet your objectives over time (this is risk).

Whether you are still working and accumulating wealth, or retired and seeking a consistent and reliable income, you will need a mix of high quality investments, selected with you in mind. It is unlikely that many people can identify the optimum mix from the thousands of investments avialable. We use a system of your education and our research in regard to risk, financial opportunities and your lifestyle requirements to select your suitable investments. This approach is based on protecting your capital AND achieving your goals over your time horizon rather than the antiquated system still used in some areas.

We have developed a unique portfolio construction model that includes core (index linked with an economic cycle style bias), active (non-index, intrinsic value), theme (eg. Resources, IT, Healthcare, Asia), alternatives (see below), special opportunity (case by case as they present), direct (real estate, shares, hybrid fixed income) as well as indirect ( managed funds, see below). Research shows this approach is likely to enhance performance, reduce volatility and increase the time between years of negative performance.

Sharebroking : We receive research information from our panel of stockbrokers, research houses and online brokers, as well as our in-house analysts. We can recommend and buy listed shares, property trusts and fixed interest products to fit your wealth accumulation plan. We can then sell those when appropriate to meet your needs too.

Brokerage : Is kept low for you as we do most of the work and process transactions “online” via the low cost internet.

Real Estate Buying Service : Property investors can use us to locate an investment grade property, free of the hassles of searching and dealing with agents, avoiding the “rent guarantee” and “furniture package” furfies, obtaining finance, maximising tax advantages with our “tax package”, knowledge that we work for you not the vendor, referral to our solicitor panel if required, contract negotiations, arrange protective inspections, insurances and generally ensuring you enhance your investment.

Managed Funds : We prefer to use active Manages that select assets based on intrinsic value, are priced below that value, will actively protect unit price when markets are volatile, will admit an error and dispose of non-performing assets, DO NOT pick assets based on Index weightings, have a focus on not losing monies rather than being satisfied to perform with an Index and, are judged by their performance and remunerated accordingly. Occasionally, we will recommend an Index or core fund if there is something significant about the people managing it that can somehow "add value".

Alternative Investments : a relatively new breed of investments include infrastructure, hedge funds, private equity, agricultural products as well as the time proven commodities and collectibles. A mix of some of these can also enhance your performance and minimise volatility when other financial markets are volatile. They also offer above average returns at different times and can offer significant returns without increasing risk proportionately.

Derivatives : Various derivatives of other investments can be used to enhance wealth, provide protection in volatile markets and offer tax benefits. We can use these to good effect for you as part of our portfolio construction system.

Borrowing to Invest : Also known as “gearing”, this can be used to help you accelerate your wealth creation. While gearing can also have tax advantages, tax alone is not the dominant purpose but wealth accelerations is – very simply, using other peoples’ money (and returning it later!) can be very successful when done with a purpose. Excessive gearing should be avoided. Remember, it can accelerate the increase but also the decrease if markets go against you. It is therefore, important to understand why you are borrowing and how to get out of that debt, before you start.

Superannuation : Superannution can be a very tax effective wealth accumulation vehicle even after taxes and fees are taken into account. Tax concessions relate to your funds income and capital gains. It is certainly the most tax friendly form of retirement income that you can work towards.

Special Opportunities : as a specialist investment researcher and portfolio builder, we seek or are offered special investments from our universe of investment providers from time to time. These may be shares, property or alternative investments and could give you a well above average return with little if any, increase risk, There is often a time constraint so speed to analyse and accept may be critical to access. Being registered for special opportunities is essential.

When structured properly, you have the freedom to choose shares, property, fixed interest, their derivatives and although a super fund can’t itself borrow, in some circumstances, it can buy investments that are geared to accelerate your wealth.