Colonial First State Geared Funds

When it comes to returns, the more money you invest, the greater your earning potential. And for those with their sights set on catching bigger long-term returns, a geared fund just might be the answer.

Unlike a personal margin loan, a geared fund uses its size and scale to borrow at very competitive wholesale rates – generally around 2% less than the average margin loan rate^*.

Since Colonial First State pioneered geared funds in Australia more than a decade ago, gearing has become a popular way for investors to generate long-term growth, without ever having to worry about the day-to-day management and the repayments on an investment loan.

Hans Kunnen, Head of Investments Market Research at Colonial First State has noted that the Australian economy and its stock market are well placed to grow over the next decade.

Government Property Trust 2008

Government Property Trust offers investors the opportunity to invest in a portfolio of Australian property assets that are predominantly occupied by government authorities on medium to long-term leases and 8.25% pa income distribution.
Offer ends 30/09/2008

Mariner Small Companies Recovery Fund

The Mariner Small Companies Recovery Fund will specifically target undervalued companies that exhibit attractive opportunities for potential increase in value and are expected to recover or mature over the medium to long term.

On Managed Fund Entry Fees

InvestSMART rebates 100% of entry fees and contribution fees on over 4,000 managed funds, saving you up to 6% of your investment and giving you the benefit of every cent you invest.

Victoria lacks appeal to foreign investors

The Age 11/09/2008 | VICTORIA'S financial services industry feels disengaged from the State Government and, despite efforts to create a funds management hub, is failing to differentiate itself from Sydney in the eyes of foreign institutions.

Ask Noel

Sydney Morning Herald 10/09/2008 | I am 52 and my wife is 55. Our net income is $100,000 a year. We plan to retire on an income of about $30,000 a year within the next two years. We have $600,000 in super plus 100 per cent equity in our home ($550,000) and 80 per cent equity in an investment property also worth $550,000. What can we do to boost our retirement income?

Uranium use comes at too high a price

The Age 10/09/2008 | SIMON Clarke (BusinessDay, 9/9) says the uranium industry has a good safety record and must be considered by investors who want to invest ethically. He does not take account of the cost to the economy and the environment in building nuclear reactors. It would take some years to build a reactor in Australia and we don't have that time to invest.

The god of small things

Sydney Morning Herald 10/09/2008 | Very few Australians may be able to afford the $1.89 million paid for Russell Drysdale's portrait of Rocky McCormack at Sotheby's in Melbourne last month. Yet here is proof that an impressive collection of contemporary art can still be accumulated on a relatively modest budget. The tip is to think small. Like real estate, art tends to decrease in price the smaller it is. When Sydney collector Alan Cleary (see My Collection) first became interested in buying art in the 1970s he gave himself a .

CBA boss scores $2m raise

Sydney Morning Herald 9/09/2008 | RALPH NORRIS, the chief executive of the country's largest bank, the Commonwealth, saw his basic salary more than double last year as his overall cash, shares and bonus package jumped by $2 million to $8.6 million.

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