CAPITALISTS AND FINANCIERS

History proves markets resilient to global terror

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Original article by Philip Baker
The Australian Financial Review – Page: 34 : 17-Nov-15

The Australian sharemarket lost ground early in trading on 16 November 2015, in the aftermath of the Islamic terrorist attacks in Paris. However, investors returned to the market to take advantage of lower share prices, allowing the S&P/ASX 200 to close slightly above the 5,000-point level. Analysis of trading patterns following significant terrorist attacks since 2001 shows that equity markets have generally rebounded strongly after falling in the immediate aftermath of the attacks.

CORPORATES
STANDARD AND POOR’S ASX 200 INDEX, STANDARD AND POOR’S 500 INDEX, BHP BILLITON LIMITED – ASX BHP, TELSTRA CORPORATION LIMITED – ASX TLS, MACQUARIE BANK LIMITED – ASX MBL

Stocks set to tumble after French terror

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Original article by Mark Mulligan
The Australian Financial Review – Page: 21 : 16-Nov-15

Global sharemarkets are expected to be heavily sold down on 16 November 2015, as investors opt for lower-risk assets in the wake of the terrorist attacks in Paris. Australia’s benchmark S&P/ASX 200 closed at 5,051.25 on 13 November, and futures markets had already anticipated a fall below the 5,000-point level prior to the terrorist attacks. AMP Capital’s Shane Oliver does expect any downturn in the Australian market to be sustained, although he says resources stocks are likely to fall further.

CORPORATES
STANDARD AND POOR’S ASX 200 INDEX, AMP CAPITAL INVESTORS LIMITED, BLOOMBERG COMMODITY INDEX, AUSTRALIA AND NEW ZEALAND BANKING GROUP LIMITED – ASX ANZ, PEAK ASSET MANAGEMENT PTY LTD, UNITED STATES. FEDERAL RESERVE BOARD, HASSIUM ASSET MANAGEMENT, CAC 40 INDEX, EURO STOXX 50 INDEX, RESERVE BANK OF AUSTRALIA, BLOOMBERG LP

Good value still out there for the willing

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Original article by Jonathan Shapiro
The Australian Financial Review – Page: 23 : 12-Mar-15

There has been strong demand for corporate bonds among yield-seeking investors in recent years. Craig MacDonald of Standard Life says long-term, lower-rated corporate bonds still offer value for investors, and he is actively seeking to invest in such assets. However, he favours cash holdings at present rather than short-term bonds. MacDonald adds that Standard Life’s corporate bond fund is likely to achieve a lower return in 2015 than in 2014

CORPORATES
STANDARD LIFE PLC, CEMEX SA

Spooked investors see local bond yields drop to record lows

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Original article by Mark Mulligan
The Australian Financial Review – Page: 11 & 24 : 8-Jan-15

The yield on 10-year Australian government bonds reached a record low of 2.65 per cent on 7 January 2015. Bond yields in Europe and the US have also fallen sharply amid a growing trend for investors to shun equities in favour of assets that offer lower risk. Charlie Jamieson of Jamieson Coote Bonds notes that Australian bonds remain appealing to global investors due to a relatively high yield and their "AAA" credit rating

CORPORATES
JAMIESONCOOTEBONDS PTY LTD, EUROPEAN CENTRAL BANK, ARDEA INVESTMENT MANAGEMENT PTY LTD, FIDELITY WORLDWIDE INVESTMENT, AUSTRALIA AND NEW ZEALAND BANKING GROUP LIMITED – ASX ANZ, UNITED STATES. FEDERAL RESERVE BOARD, CREDIT SUISSE AG

Global dividends tipped to hit $1.4 trillion in 2015

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Original article by Sally Rose
The Australian Financial Review – Page: 24 : 17-Nov-14

Henderson Global Investors forecasts that $US1.19trn worth of dividends will be paid to shareholders globally in 2014, rising to $US1.24trn in 2015. Some $US288.1bn worth of dividends were paid globally during the September 2014 quarter, according to the Henderson Global Dividend Index. Australian-listed Westpac, ANZ Bank, BHP Billiton and Telstra were among the world’s 20 leading stocks in terms of dividend payouts during the period

CORPORATES
HENDERSON GLOBAL INVESTORS LIMITED, WESTPAC BANKING CORPORATION – ASX WBC, AUSTRALIA AND NEW ZEALAND BANKING GROUP LIMITED – ASX ANZ, BHP BILLITON LIMITED – ASX BHP, TELSTRA CORPORATION LIMITED – ASX TLS, STANDARD AND POOR’S ASX 200 INDEX, WESTFIELD CORPORATION – ASX WFD, WOODSIDE PETROLEUM LIMITED – ASX WPL, CHINA CONSTRUCTION BANK, GAZPROM, CHINA MOBILE COMMUNICATIONS CORPORATION

Investors return to golden safe haven

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Original article by Jared Lynch
The Australian Financial Review – Page: 16 : 3-Oct-14

The Perth Mint and the US Mint have reported a strong rise in demand for gold coins in September 2014. This coincided with a 6.1 per cent fall in the gold price during the month. The Perth Mint’s gold bars are also in demand, with sales rising by 37 per cent in September. The mint’s Bron Suchecki notes that demand from China in particular has improved in the wake of the fall in the gold price

CORPORATES
PERTH MINT, UNITED STATES MINT, GUARDIAN VAULTS PTY LTD, RESERVE BANK OF AUSTRALIA

Wall Street wolves go quiet as junk bonds are trashed

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Original article by Philip Baker
The Australian Financial Review – Page: 28 : 13-Aug-14

The yield on junk bonds has fallen to about five per cent, compared with nearly 23 per cent at the peak of the global financial crisis. Dealogic figures show that some $US210bn ($A226.5bn) worth of junk bonds were sold in the first seven months of 2014, a level not seen since 2000. Demand for corporate bonds has also been weak, with less than $US60bn worth of these bonds having been sold during the first eight days of August

CORPORATES
DEALOGIC HOLDINGS PLC, UNITED STATES. FEDERAL RESERVE BOARD, EMERGING PORTFOLIO FUND RESEARCH INCORPORATED, LIPPER ANALYTICAL SERVICES, BERKSHIRE HATHAWAY INCORPORATED, BLOOMBERG LP