Donald Trump and the US-China trade war, top Australian stock picks, and the ongoing fallout from Australia's banking royal commission are just some of the topics covered at last week's 2018 Morningstar Individual Investor Conference.

For those unable to attend the Conference in Sydney on Thursday 25 October – or for those who want to recap the best parts – we've collated our coverage from the event.

Kicking off proceedings, Morningstar Investment Management and leading global fund managers Magellan and Janus Henderson interpreted the trade tensions between the world's two largest economies – the US and China.

Morningstar Individual Investor Conference geo political tension

Peter Warnes, Morningstar's head of equities research, then delved into the Australian share market, looking at how domestic political turmoil is impacting companies and those who invest in them, and what the next year may hold for local stocks.

The CEO of one of Australia's most successful global fund managers, Platinum Asset Management, discussed whether markets are at the end of an economic cycle – and revealed where in the world attractive stock valuations might be found.

And Julian Morrow, one of the brains behind controversial comedy troupe The Chaser and irreverent consumer affairs program The Checkout, closed proceedings with an off-kilter take on the royal commission and the financial industry's fraught relationship with regulation, disclaimers and disclosure.

 

ARTICLES

US-China trade stoush stokes inflation fears

The tensions between the US and China are set to drag on, intensifying the risk of inflation and adding to the volatility reverberating across international markets

Pockets of opportunity amid the global market rout

Investors are mistaken in making blanket judgements about global stock valuations, even as rising US interest rates and China-US trade tensions spook markets, says Platinum CEO Andrew Clifford.

Call for 25pc flat tax rate to help households

Morningstar's Peter Warnes predicted more out-of-cycle rate rises, saying the the RBA’s record low interest rate of 1.5 per cent left it little room to move.

3 top stocks named at Morningstar conference

These well-known stocks spanning finance, telecommunications and education headed our equity analysts' top picks at the Morningstar Individual Investor Conference 2018.

If Australia were a country I wouldn't own it, says Tagliaferro

If you've got good stocks, hold them and don't panic. And if you want to invest in good companies, make sure they have a competitive advantage and consistent earnings.

Platinum CEO on ESG, Facebook and cannabis

Platinum Asset Management is implementing an ESG screen to its investment process, impacting how it views sectors such as coal mining, CEO Andrew Clifford revealed last week.

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VIDEOS

Market volatility can be an investor’s friend

Global market sectors respond to volatility in different ways, and there is a crucial distinction investors must make between company cash flow and share price stability in this context, explains Magellan’s Vihari Ross.

Buying opportunities are out there

Andrew Clifford, CEO of Platinum Asset Management, outlines where in the world and in which sectors and companies he sees investment value – even in a global environment many regard as late-cycle.

SMSF paperwork crucial to avoid legal problems 

Recent SMSF court cases in Queensland highlight the importance of keeping your documentation in line, says lawyer Shane Ellis.

Rising inflation hits both equities and bonds

Rising rates in key global markets have boosted asset prices, magnifying the importance of good investment portfolio construction, says Janus Henderson’s Jay Sivapalan.

Trump, trade and volatility: taking the pulse at MIICAU18

As the ASX hit its lowest levels in 12 months, reporter Emma Rapaport speaks to attendees at the Morningstar Individual Investor Conference in Sydney to get a sense of what's concerning them most.

Switching up your SMSF for income

There are still considerable benefits when switching your SMSF to drawdown phase, despite the complexities and potential political changes ahead, says SMSF Association’s Peter Hogan. 

Consumption drives investment not the other way around

As Australia’s equity market nears its peak and share buy-backs hit unsustainable levels, investors need to also be mindful of rising interest rates and government policy, says Morningstar's Peter Warnes.

Where Morningstar readers see investment opportunities: taking the pulse at MIICAU18

Investors are bracing for more volatility, but attendees at the Morningstar Individual Investor Conference in Sydney see pockets of opportunity  in travel, mining and medical cannabis.

Different viewing lens for consumers versus investors

Changing tariffs and rising inflation in the US have different implications for individuals as investors and consumers, says Morningstar Investment Management’s Peter Bull, following on from his presentation at Morningstar Individual Investor Conference 2018.

Super policy shifts and the retirement roadmap

Saving for retirement is well catered-for within existing superannuation provisions, but the transition to pension mode isn’t as developed, says Vanguard’s Robin Bowerman.

The double-edged sword of listed investments

There are very good reasons for the popularity of listed investment vehicles, but some of these attributes also give rise to potential challenges, explains Morningstar’s Matthew Wilkinson.

The art and science of valuing stocks

Morningstar's Adam Fleck guides us through the process his team uses to build a forecast, discount future cash flows, and incorporate a company's moat into their analyses.

 

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More from Morningstar

• Buying opportunities are out there

• Market volatility can be an investor’s friend

• Make better investment decisions with Morningstar Premium | Free 4-week trial

 

Glenn Freeman is senior editor at Morningstar Australia.

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