The size of the global bond market compared to the global equities market suggests it has the ability to offer SMSF trustees a wider variety of opportunities to invest in companies and governments, a fixed income manager has said.

To receive the full portfolio diversification benefits and to take advantage of all of the Asian investment opportunities individuals need direct holdings in the overseas markets, according to a specialist portfolio manager.

SMSF trustees can avoid having their fund switch between the segregated and unsegregated methods for exempt current pension income (ECPI) calculation purposes at different periods throughout a given financial year by maintaining a small asset balance of the fund in accumulation phase, a technical expert has said.

Australia’s small-cap shares have raced ahead of the largest shares in a tale of two markets, according to Lonsec Research.

Investment portfolios should consist of both active and passive investment strategies as longer-term market cycles favour both approaches at different points, according to a fund manager.

The current economic environment typified by low interest rates does not favour the theory of value investing, but instead presents a better setting for a growth investing approach, a senior executive at a share research and funds management firm has said.

Nick Shugg provides the latest SMSF tables to assess how well client investment portfolios are performing.