EP78: Credit’s rise as the backbone of portfolio strength - Schroders Investment Management Australia Ltd

In this episode of the Netwealth Portfolio Construction Podcast, Paul O’Connor is joined by Helen Mason, Portfolio Manager at Schroders Investment Management Australia. Helen explores the real story behind Australia’s credit markets and where change sparks new opportunities for advisers and investors. Get insight on: How APRA’s phase-out of hybrids and the shift to Tier 2 capital are changing liquidity, pricing, risk, and yield in Australian credit markets Why credit is now preferred over equities for stable income, lower volatility, and capital preservation How Australia’s strong economy, bond yields, and rate cuts are creating new opportunities in fixed income and credit The rise of private credit and commercial real estate lending, and the importance of liquidity, diversification, and regulatory scrutiny for robust portfolios

In this episode of the Netwealth Portfolio Construction Podcast, Paul O’Connor is joined by Jay Sivapalan, Head of Australian Fixed Interest at Janus Henderson Investors. Jay shares his perspective on how shifting geopolitical and macroeconomic forces are reshaping investment strategies. The conversation explores: How China’s leadership in renewable energy, shipbuilding, and electric vehicles is opening fresh investment opportunities The race for technological dominance, particularly in AI, and its impact in transforming industries, reshaping supply chains, and redefining global trade and security Australia’s need to diversify its export mix, pointing to opportunities in services, education, tourism How active management in fixed interest is unlocking high-yield opportunities across government, corporate, and infrastructure debt The importance of long-term thinking and understanding how policy and regulatory factors influence portfolio performance

In this episode of the Netwealth Portfolio Construction podcast, Paul O’Connor is joined by Eric Almeraz from APIS Capital Advisors, Eric offers a window into the world of global small caps, where 90% of listed companies live. Eric shares his thoughts on: How to spot value and avoid traps in a universe of 19,000 stocks, many of which they think are under-researched and mispriced. Why small caps are a goldmine for shorting, with themes like Chinese renewables and broken growth stories - companies that are over-earning or benefiting from temporary booms. What makes a contrarian view profitable, and how APIS used deep research to uncover a multi-year opportunity in overlooked tech. How regulation is reshaping industries, with real-world examples. Why AI isn’t just hype, discover how AI is impacting investment strategies.

When over 50% of a portfolio’s offshore assets are USD-denominated, currency risk isn’t just a theoretical issue—it can be a real drag on performance. In episode 75 of the Portfolio Construction Podcast Series, Paul O’Connor (Netwealth Head of Investment Management & Research) speaks with Tom Averill, Managing Director of Rochford Capital, about how investors can more effectively manage USD exposure—especially with the AUD near the low end of its long-term range. They discuss why traditional hedging tools often fall short, how the Rochford Leveraged Long AUD Fund provides targeted FX exposure through OTC derivatives, and why this can be a more accurate, scalable, and tax-efficient solution than switching between hedged and unhedged funds. Also covered: the macroeconomic outlook for the Australian dollar, implications of the US credit downgrade, the growing structural role of China, and how geopolitical shifts are reshaping global currency dynamics.   To learn more about today’s guest and Netwealth, visit: 👉 Super Accelerator (for super): https://www.netwealth.com.au/web/personal/super-and-smsf/super-accelerator-plus/?utm_source=pc 👉 Wealth Accelerator (for investment accounts): https://www.netwealth.com.au/web/personal/investment-solutions/wealth-accelerator/?utm_source=pc 👉 Compare Funds & Models tool to view investments: https://www.netwealth.com.au/nw/Fund/CompareFundsAndModels?utm_source=pc   Timestamps:  00:00 – Intro & context: AUD volatility, USD exposure, and the case for smarter hedging 01:45 – Meet Tom Averill: Background in FX, macro strategy, and launching Rochford Capital 05:10 – Institutional hedging explained: Why hedging behaviour differs across asset classes 08:00 – Is the AUD undervalued?: Long-term range, fair value metrics, and capital flows 11:40 – US downgrade & structural debt risk: What rising deficits mean for USD confidence 15:30 – Global dynamics: China’s slowdown, US retrenchment, and implications for AUD 18:25 – The Rochford fund mechanics: 3x leveraged AUD exposure via OTC derivatives—not futures 23:05 – Precision and efficiency: Why the fund helps avoid CGT events and hedging inefficiencies 26:50 – Cash management & execution: Managing liquidity, carry, and cost through institutional relationships 30:40 – Portfolio applications: How direct investors and advisers are using the fund for targeted hedging 35:10 – AUD/USD outlook: Interest rate differentials and the case for longer-term AUD strength 38:15 – Key takeaways: Where the fund fits in portfolio construction and risk management   Disclaimer: Netwealth Superannuation Services Pty Ltd issues Netwealth Super Accelerator. Netwealth Investments Limited issues the Netwealth Wealth Accelerator Multi-Asset Portfolio Service. Information contained within this podcast is of general nature only. Consider whether the products are appropriate for you and seek advice where required. To help you decide, read the PDS or IDPS Guide and TMD available at https://www.netwealth.com.au/

In this episode of the Portfolio Construction podcast, Paul O’Connor, Head of Investment at Netwealth, chats with Dmitry Solomakhin from Fidelity International. Dmitry unpacks the thinking behind Fidelity’s Global Long Short Fund, which uses a contrarian value approach to invest in "unloved companies" they believe are mispriced. The discussion explores Dmitry’s disciplined approach to shorting stocks, grounded in rigorous analysis to ensure its aligned with the fund’s contrarian philosophy. Paul and Dmitry also examine the inherent risks of shorting, such as volatility and potential losses, and how these are mitigated through thoughtful portfolio construction and diversification. Dmitry shares his perspective on the evolving AI ecosystem, its practical applications, the potential risks associated with the current AI craze, and what it means for his stock selections.

In this episode of the Portfolio Construction podcast, Paul O’Connor, Head of Investment at Netwealth, chats with Nathan Lim, Chief Investment Officer at Lonsec Investment Solutions. Nathan breaks down Lonsec's take on alternatives, explaining the difference between defensive and growth assets based on their volatility, while emphasising that volatility alone doesn't fully capture the strategy's nature. They dive into the opportunities and risks of alternative strategies like private equity and private credit, highlighting the importance of picking the right managers and understanding illiquidity. They also discuss how the post-COVID economic landscape, with rising inflation and interest rates, impacts alternative investments and what to consider when building a portfolio.

In this episode of the Portfolio Construction podcast, Paul O’Connor, Head of Investment at Netwealth, chats with Matt Cho, Head of Multi-Asset Solutions at Vanguard Australia. Matt shares insights on Vanguard's recently released economic outlook for 2025, the performance of multi-asset products in 2024, and potential returns for various asset classes. They review the strong 2024 returns from international and Australian equities, and the positive performance of fixed-income markets. The discussion covers the global economic outlook, including perspectives on Europe, Asia, and Australian economies, as well as the US and the impact of Trump's re-election. They discuss the role of private credit in diversified portfolios, and Vanguard's long-term forecasts for equities and fixed income.

In this episode of the Netwealth Portfolio Construction podcast, Paul O'Connor, Head of Investments at Netwealth, is joined by Jolon Knight, an investment specialist from Hyperion Asset Management. They dive into the global equities market, exploring the opportunities Hyperion sees for investors. They discuss investing in "new world" businesses as opposed to "old world" businesses and how Hyperion identifies and invests in these companies for the long-term, acting as business owners rather than share traders. Knight also shares insights on the potential impact of the recent US presidential election, and their outlook on inflation and the market environment moving into 2025.

In this episode of the Portfolio Construction podcast, Paul O'Connor, Head of Investment at Netwealth, is joined by Tim Van Klaveren, Head of Australian Fixed Income at UBS Asset Management. They discuss macroeconomic factors impacting fixed-income markets, including the global shift towards more accommodative monetary policy following a period of high inflation, the complexities of managing fixed-income portfolios in this environment, and the potential implications for various bond market segments. Van Klaveren offers his outlook on interest rate movements, and they discuss APRA's regulatory changes regarding tier one securities and what these mean for a diversified portfolio, as well as the impact of global trends, including the US election and China's stimulus measures, on fixed income investments.

The Indian economy is the fastest-growing major economy in the world. Driven by internal demand and a burgeoning middle class, India may offer an opportunity for investors. In this episode of the Portfolio Construction podcast, Paul O’Connor, Head of Investment at Netwealth, chats with Mugunthan Siva, Managing Director and Co-Founder of India Avenue Investment Management. Mugunthan shares his perspective on why he believes India is poised for continued growth, the factors driving corporate earnings, and the expanding investment opportunities in specific sectors like pharmaceuticals and real estate. They also explore the impact of government policies, digitisation, and infrastructure development on the Indian economy and the potential risks of investing in India, such as rising oil prices and industrial challenges.