Individual Investors

5G is anticipated to transform the world, bringing new efficiencies and opportunities to how we live and work. For investors interested in incorporating this growth theme within their portfolios, the options are broader than simply telecommunications companies. What is 5G? Fifth generation wireless (5G) is a technology infrastructure system allowing communications and data access on-the-go, much in the same way that previous generations including the currently used 4G offered. It is anticipated to transform the ‘internet of things’ and become the force for the fourth industrial revolution. The fourth industrial revolution refers to how cyber physical systems are expected to drive the next era of industrial reform and change, bringing new efficiencies and opportunities to how we live and work1. Wireless networks are integrated into our lives and 5G sees that dependency increase further in the immediate future. It is already here in its early stages. ...

The COVID-19 crisis has shed a light on how fragile supply chains can be, with essentials from toilet paper to milk vanishing from shelves. The solution could be robotics, automation and AI according to a new paper from ROBO Global, the index provider behind ETFS ROBO Global Robotics and Automation ETF (ASX code: ROBO). Read the article The current pandemic has demonstrated how heavily existing supply chains rely on a human labour force. While many companies, such as Coles, already had plans to incorporate automation, it is likely that the current situation will accelerate this trend. There are five key areas where robotics, automation and AI are likely to transform supply chains. Automated warehouse solutions ...

Technology is not just transforming the way we work and live, it is also saving lives and changing how we treat diseases. The biotechnology industry may be appealing from a social and moral perspective, but it is also trending for future growth. Download the full article What is biotechnology? Biotechnology is a sub-industry of the healthcare sector and specifically refers to technologies that use biological processes, capturing companies that focus on research, development, manufacturing and/or marketing of products based on biological and genetic information. The different types of biotechnology include biological drugs, vaccines, immunotherapy, gene therapy, orphan drugs and genetic engineering. This industry has hit the headlines during the COVID-19 pandemic, with companies like Moderna and Gilead part of the race to find effective vaccines and treatments. ...

Renewable energy is a growing sector that is set to overtake fossil fuel energy in the future. Investors interested in this area should consider battery technology and storage, an area that is essential for the growth of renewables. A growing market: why battery technology? The value chain for battery technology ranges from mining companies, mining for metals like lithium, to manufacturers of battery storage and storage technology providers. All are potential beneficiaries of the anticipated growth in this industry. Lithium ion batteries have transformed the battery industry and accounts for 85% of commissioned, utility scale battery storage worldwide[1]. By 2022, utility scale battery energy storage capacity is expected to more than double, while the market for battery technology is anticipated to reach $90bn by 2025, growing more than 12%[2][3]. This growth is due to growing demand and increasing affordability of renewable energy like wind and solar power, along with the transition towards electric cars. Renewable energy in particular is an intermittent source and thus, dependent on reliable storage systems to ensure ongoing power. The Telsa-built Hornsdale Power Reserve in South Australia is a large-scale example of battery storage in play. How to invest in battery technology? ...

Whether your goal is to build a house deposit, pay for education or create a retirement income, taking a measured approach to your investments can help. Most investors typically need to be able to preserve a certain level of capital, while also investing for long term growth or income. An enhanced core-satellite approach to building your investment portfolio can help you target your goals and manage market movements. Download the complete paper or read a summary below. What is enhanced core-satellite investing? Enhanced core-satellite investing is a two-pronged approach to portfolio construction, where the core is made up of passive exposures to major asset classes (mainly equities and fixed income) and the satellite investments are more opportunistic and designed to seek specific growth outcomes, sometimes at higher levels of risk. Satellite investments could be targeted ETFs, actively managed funds or investments in individual companies or real estate. Generally, the core might be 65-85% of the portfolio, depending on the investor’s goals, investment horizon and risk tolerance, while satellites tend to represent 15-35%[1]. ...

Investing has become a game of chicken in the eyes of some investors. Has COVID-19 become a buying opportunity? Have we seen the bottom, or is the worst yet to come? It’s hard to make any solid predictions in this unfamiliar territory – investment markets have experienced a health crisis rather than being undone by poor fundamentals, such as in the global financial crisis. Those investors looking for ideas could consider the following. Download the complete paper or read the summary below 1. The essentials Some sectors are largely able to continue normal operations, even in crisis situations. Humans still need basic supplies and services to live, meaning that consumer staples continue to see demand, while infrastructure such as energy suppliers or telecommunications continue to need to operate. In the current situation, telecommunications have been particularly essential with much of the population needing to work from home. Investors could look at an ETF like ETFS Global Core Infrastructure ETF (ASX code: CORE) to access global infrastructure. 2. Defensive assets ...