Better Investor Spring 2009

BT's latest Better Investor magazine has eight articles which provide you with the insights required for better investing.

  1. The sum of all parts
    In investing, information is everything. Yet there are many sources of information and insights come from many places. A lot of this information is available through desk research.
  2. Survival of the fittest
    The idea of sustainable investing has become increasingly popular in recent years as more investors understand the need to invest for the long-term. Rajinder Singh, Portfolio Manager at BT Investment Management (BTIM), explains what it means to invest sustainably and why this type of investing is attracting so much attention.
  3. The bigger picture
    For some investors approaching retirement, there is a belief that "growth" investments should be sold in favour of "safer" cash-style investments. BT's Michael Bailey offers a slightly different view.
  4. Many hands, light work
    Multi-manager funds can offer a world of choice and diversification in just one fund - a multi-manager invests your money across a wide range of carefully chosen investment managers who specialise in certain types of securities - like shares, listed property or bonds - or investment styles, like passive and active investing.
  5. The A to Z of Alpha and Beta
    Alpha and beta are two key investment concepts. The Beta return is the return you get from the market, the Alpha return is the additional, above market return an investment manager captures for you.
  6. The ratings game
    How research houses determine a managed fund's rating, what they really mean and why they are useful when deciding which fund to choose.
  7. All wrapped up
    To grow and protect your wealth you may need a cash account, managed funds, insurance and superannuation; you might also buy some direct shares and borrow to invest via a margin loan. Put all that together and you have financial security and lots - and lots - of paper.
  8. Something for everyone
    There are probably as many kinds of investors as there are investments but there are some general rules that apply to everyone, here are some tips for all the different types.