Basis Points

Many of the world's greatest growth businesses are staying private for longer. So, do advisers have to allocate to private markets for growth?Australian Ethical Investment’s Head of Private Markets Adam Roberts certainly thinks so, noting that most businesses listing on public market exchanges are far bigger and more mature than they’ve been in decades.This is because they can raise vast amounts of capital from private market investors like venture capital firms, hedge funds, and endowments - meaning most of their growth happens well before they IPO. Roberts also cites regulatory pressure, shareholder activism, and cost and compliance as the culprits for the shrinking IPO market (particularly for high-growth tech companies).In this interview, Adam takes advisers through some of the opportunities (and world-class managers) Australian Ethical is invested in across private equity, venture capital, private debt, infrastructure and real estate today, as well as why he believes an ethical and impact framework can drive value for clients.Chapters:00:00 Introduction: Private Markets and Growth01:13 Why Companies Stay Private Longer03:28 Retail Access and Investment Risks05:49 Assessing Private Market Managers07:52 Credit Risks and Portfolio Diversification09:52 Where Adam Sees Opportunity11:42 How Much to Allocate14:18 Private Markets in a Portfolio15:29 Sponsor Message16:27 Renewables, Housing and Infrastructure21:02 Private Equity and Venture Capital25:37 Ethical Investing and Adviser Takeaways———CPD Points: This episode is accredited for the following CPD points by the Financial Advice Association of Australia (FAAA). Complete the quiz here to claim your points.0.5 Total HoursKnowledge Requirements: Alternative Assets (0.25 hour), Managed Investments (0.25 hour)Legislated CPD Area: Technical Competence (0.50 hour)———This episode has been sponsored by Australian Ethical.Visit AustralianEthical.com.au to find out more.Please read the PDS and TMD to consider if the product is right for you. Issued by Australian Ethical Investment Limited AFSL 229949———Want more Basis Points?Sign up to the Basis Points emailJoin the conversation on LinkedInWatch all episodes in full and relive some of our favourite clips on YouTube———Basis Points is a product of Equity Mates Media.This podcast is intended for education and entertainment purposes. Any advice is general advice only, and has not taken into account your personal financial circumstances, needs or objectives. Before acting on general advice, you should consider if it is relevant to your needs and read the relevant Product Disclosure Statement. And if you are unsure, please speak to a financial professional.Equity Mates Media operates under Australian Financial Services Licence 540697. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

As the managed accounts industry matures, regulators are circling. So, are there any bad players, and what should advisers expect as the regulatory environment shifts?To find out, Ally sat down with two “masters of the managed accounts universe,” Jonathan Tolub from Trellia Wealth Partners and Chris Carrodus from Evidentia.They speak to the industry’s rapid growth and tightening regulation following the Shield and First Guardian blow-ups. Plus discuss trustee scrutiny, private credit exposure, conflicts of interest, fee transparency and a possible performance test.Chapters:00:00 Introduction01:03 Why SMAs Grew02:46 ASIC Scrutiny and Due Diligence05:26 Managing Conflicts of Interest07:52 Private Credit and Liquidity12:56 The Performance Test Debate16:39 Managed Account Consolidation17:25 Fees and Platform Differences20:19 Customising Portfolios25:20 What Advisers Need Now28:15 The Industry’s Next Five Years30:01 Bond Yields and Super Transfers———CPD Points: This episode is accredited for the following CPD points by the Financial Advice Association of Australia (FAAA). Complete the quiz here to claim your points.0.75 Total HoursKnowledge Requirements: Managed Investments (0.50 hour) and Regulatory Environment (0.25 hour)Legislated CPD Area: Technical Competence (0.50 hour) and Regulatory Compliance & Consumer Protection (0.25 hour)———Want more Basis Points?Sign up to the Basis Points emailJoin the conversation on LinkedInWatch all episodes in full and relive some of our favourite clips on YouTube———Basis Points is a product of Equity Mates Media.This podcast is intended for education and entertainment purposes. Any advice is general advice only, and has not taken into account your personal financial circumstances, needs or objectives. Before acting on general advice, you should consider if it is relevant to your needs and read the relevant Product Disclosure Statement. And if you are unsure, please speak to a financial professional.Equity Mates Media operates under Australian Financial Services Licence 540697. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

China's economy is splitting in two, and the investment opportunities aren't necessarily where you'd expect.While property investment has plunged and consumer spending has stalled, AI, advanced manufacturing and robotics are booming.Stillpoint Investments' Eric Wong joins Ally Selby to unpack China's K-shaped economy, why some of the most interesting stocks are hiding in struggling sectors, and what Western investors are missing about the world's second-largest economy. Plus, how Chinese manufacturers are navigating US tariffs, why political risk isn't unique to China, and whether China's lead in robotics can last.Chapters:00:00 China’s Two-Speed Economy01:37 China’s Economic Outlook05:43 Is China Investible?09:00 US–China Tensions and Opportunity12:23 What Headlines Miss16:22 Slower Growth, Sharper Differences18:08 China’s K-Shaped Consumer22:27 Overlooked Stock Opportunities25:16 Chinese Manufacturing Moves to Mexico31:30 China’s AI Frenzy35:49 The Race for Cheaper AI38:02 China’s Robotics Lead📈 Stocks and ETFs Mentioned:JOYY Inc. (NASDAQ: JOYY), Intel (NASDAQ: INTC), Ferrari (NYSE: RACE), NVIDIA (NASDAQ: NVDA)FinFest Industry day is nearly here! Come join us on the 23rd October 2026. Register your interest here.———CPD Points: This episode is accredited for the following CPD points by the Financial Advice Association of Australia (FAAA). Complete the quiz here to claim your points.0.75 Total HoursKnowledge Requirements: Economic Environment (0.75 hour)Legislated CPD Area: General (0.75 hour)———Want more Basis Points?Sign up to the Basis Points emailJoin the conversation on LinkedInWatch all episodes in full and relive some of our favourite clips on YouTube———Basis Points is a product of Equity Mates Media.This podcast is intended for education and entertainment purposes. Any advice is general advice only, and has not taken into account your personal financial circumstances, needs or objectives. Before acting on general advice, you should consider if it is relevant to your needs and read the relevant Product Disclosure Statement. And if you are unsure, please speak to a financial professional.Equity Mates Media operates under Australian Financial Services Licence 540697. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Fundamental stock picking is losing ground to systematic investing. But does that mean traditional active management is dead?Dr David Allen, Head of Long Short Strategies and Co-Head of Research at Plato Investment Management, joins Ally to explain how systematic managers are using data, technology and AI to find opportunities across thousands of companies.He takes us inside Plato's investment process, including the 154 red flags the team uses to identify short opportunities.Plus, David explains why diversification can improve returns when systematic strategies struggle, and the one metric he believes every adviser should use when assessing quantitative managers.Chapters:00:00 Is Fundamental Investing Dead?01:52 Why Traditional Stock Picking Is Changing04:20 Inside the Black Box of Systematic Investing07:25 Plato's 154 Red Flags for Identifying Risky Stocks13:09 Separating Genuine Investment Signals From Noise17:06 How Plato Uses AI to Analyse Markets19:29 The Red Flags Emerging in Markets Today25:34 Diversification, Performance and Choosing a Quant ManagerStocks and Funds Mentioned:Plato Global Alpha Fund, Echo IQ (ASX: EIQ), Allbirds (NASDAQ: BIRD), Meta Platforms (NASDAQ: META), DroneShield (ASX: DRO), Cettire (ASX: CTT), Tesla (NASDAQ: TSLA), Commonwealth Bank of Australia (ASX: CBA), GQG Partners (ASX: GQG), IBM (NYSE: IBM)CPD Points: This episode is accredited by the Financial Advice Association of Australia (FAAA). Complete the CPD quiz ___ to claim your points.Knowledge Requirements: Managed Investments (0.50 hour)Legislated CPD Area: Technical Competence (0.50 hour)———Want more Basis Points?Sign up to the Basis Points emailJoin the conversation on LinkedInWatch all episodes in full and relive some of our favourite clips on YouTube———Basis Points is a product of Equity Mates Media.This podcast is intended for education and entertainment purposes. Any advice is general advice only, and has not taken into account your personal financial circumstances, needs or objectives. Before acting on general advice, you should consider if it is relevant to your needs and read the relevant Product Disclosure Statement. And if you are unsure, please speak to a financial professional.Equity Mates Media operates under Australian Financial Services Licence 540697. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

It was once a given that investing across a variety of asset classes, meant you were diversified.Today’s guest believes that may no longer be the case.AI for example touches debt, equities and infrastructure.When the old asset-class labels no longer explain the risks and opportunities, what should advisers change in client portfolios?John Woods, the Deputy Chief Investment Officer and Head of Multi-Asset at Australian Ethical Investment shares the portfolio audit that every adviser should run to ensure clients are properly diversified.Chapters:00:00 Introduction03:15 When Asset Classes Overlap05:59 Auditing Portfolio Risk09:43 Themes with Staying Power13:05 Resources and Spotting Hype16:23 Ethical Investing and Risk18:28 Opportunity in Infrastructure20:23 Private Markets and Portfolio Fit21:43 Three Checks for Advisers23:23 Renewable Energy Meets AI Demand📈 Stocks and ETFs Mentioned:Alphabet (NASDAQ: GOOG, GOOGL), TSMC (NYSE: TSM; TWSE: 2330), Sandfire Resources (ASX: SFR), Capstone Copper (ASX: CSC), Kodak (NYSE: KODK), Allbirds, now Smartbird (NASDAQ: BIRD), GoPro (NASDAQ: GPRO)———CPD Points: This episode is accredited for the following CPD points by the Financial Advice Association of Australia (FAAA). Complete the quiz here to claim your points.0.5 Total HoursKnowledge Requirements: Financial Planning (0.25 hour), Managed Investments (0.25 hour)Legislated CPD Area: Technical Competence (0.50 hour)———This episode has been sponsored by Australian Ethical.To learn more, visit AustralianEthical.com.auPlease read the PDS and TMD to consider if the product is right for you. Issued by Australian Ethical Investment Limited ABN 47 003 188 930, AFSL 229949.———Want more Basis Points?Sign up to the Basis Points emailJoin the conversation on LinkedInWatch all episodes in full and relive some of our favourite clips on YouTube———Basis Points is a product of Equity Mates Media.This podcast is intended for education and entertainment purposes. Any advice is general advice only, and has not taken into account your personal financial circumstances, needs or objectives. Before acting on general advice, you should consider if it is relevant to your needs and read the relevant Product Disclosure Statement. And if you are unsure, please speak to a financial professional.Equity Mates Media operates under Australian Financial Services Licence 540697. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Jason Entwistle is worried. Australian advisers have one of the highest AI adoption rates in the world at a time when there are so many "shiny new toys” coming out.But he sees a real risk to the speed of this adoption. Taking up AI tools without enough DD could lead the industry to “end up in a bit of a scandal where data has ended up in the wrong spot,” giving the regulator another reason to intervene.So how can advisers still change with the times without risking their business?Jason joins Ally to explain why he thinks nailing your data and processes is the key.Chapters:00:00:00 Introduction00:01:45 Why Advisers Should Take AI Slowly00:04:51 The Future of Financial Advice00:07:10 The Risks of Getting AI Wrong00:10:00 Which AI Start-ups Will Survive?00:14:06 How Platforms Will Use AI00:16:31 Keeping Client Data Secure00:21:17 Building MyHub for the Industry00:26:37 MyHub’s Launch, Pricing and Partners00:31:17 AI Adoption and Advice ProductivityThis episode was recorded on 17th of September 2026.———CPD Points: This episode is accredited for the following CPD points by the Financial Advice Association of Australia (FAAA). Complete the quiz here to claim your points.0.5 Total HoursKnowledge Requirements: Generic Knowledge (0.25 hour), Practice Management (0.25 hour)Legislated CPD Area: Client Care & Practice (0.25 hour), General (0.25 hour)———Want more Basis Points?Sign up to the Basis Points emailJoin the conversation on LinkedInWatch all episodes in full and relive some of our favourite clips on YouTube———Basis Points is a product of Equity Mates Media.This podcast is intended for education and entertainment purposes. Any advice is general advice only, and has not taken into account your personal financial circumstances, needs or objectives. Before acting on general advice, you should consider if it is relevant to your needs and read the relevant Product Disclosure Statement. And if you are unsure, please speak to a financial professional.Equity Mates Media operates under Australian Financial Services Licence 540697. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

The world’s biggest technology companies are burning through their once-abundant cash reserves to fund the AI arms race.Increasingly, they’re turning to debt markets to fund the buildout.That means the most speculative part of the market is finding its way into defensives.So what does that mean for advisers and their clients?Fixed Income Director at Capital Group, Haran Karunakaran, joins Ally to explain:What previous debt-fuelled booms can teach usThe warning signs emerging in credit marketsWhy this cycle could still play out differentlyChapters:00:00 AI’s Debt-Fuelled Boom03:53 Lessons From Past Bubbles05:57 Cracks in Credit Markets09:12 Is Credit an AI Hedge?12:08 How Credit Investors Analyse AI13:46 What Separates Hyperscalers17:29 Are AI Bonds Attractive?20:09 Beyond the AI Trade22:52 Credit’s Biggest Risks25:50 Where Credit Looks Attractive28:18 Rethinking Defensive Allocations📈 Stocks and ETFs Mentioned: Microsoft (NASDAQ: MSFT), Oracle (NYSE: ORCL), Meta Platforms (NASDAQ: META)———CPD Points: This episode is accredited for the following CPD points by the Financial Advice Association of Australia (FAAA). Complete the quiz here to claim your points.0.5 Total HoursKnowledge Requirements: Fixed Interest (0.25 hour), Managed Investments (0.25 hour)Legislated CPD Area: Technical Competence (0.50 hour)———This episode has been sponsored by Capital Group. To find out more about Capital Group and their funds, head to their website: https://www.capitalgroup.com/intermediaries/au/en/Thanks to Capital Group for supporting this episode of Basis Points and helping to keep our content free.Disclaimer: Past results are not a guarantee of future results. This information has been provided solely for informational purposes and is not an offer, or solicitation of an offer, or a recommendation to buy or sell any security or instrument listed herein. Statements attributed to an individual represent the opinions of that individual as of the date published and do not necessarily reflect the opinions of Capital Group or its affiliates. The information provided is not intended to be comprehensive or to provide advice.———Want more Basis Points?Sign up to the Basis Points emailJoin the conversation on LinkedInWatch all episodes in full and relive some of our favourite clips on YouTube———Basis Points is a product of Equity Mates Media.This podcast is intended for education and entertainment purposes. Any advice is general advice only, and has not taken into account your personal financial circumstances, needs or objectives. Before acting on general advice, you should consider if it is relevant to your needs and read the relevant Product Disclosure Statement. And if you are unsure, please speak to a financial professional.Equity Mates Media operates under Australian Financial Services Licence 540697. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

What separates advice practices that scale well from those that get stuck?After meeting with thousands of advisers, Trellia Wealth Partners Managing Partner Cameron Spittle says the difference often comes down to one thing: the operating model.In this episode you will learn:How leaders can create greater adviser capacityWays to improve operational efficiency, and deliver better client outcomesWhere businesses should look when workflows start slowing them downChapters:00:00 What Sets Top Practices Apart02:56 Building Adviser Capacity06:31 Fixing Operational Bottlenecks09:08 Scaling Advice Practices14:10 The Managed Accounts Shift18:35 Making Managed Accounts Work23:03 AI and the Future Adviser27:11 What Top Practices Do DifferentlyThis episode was recorded on 26th of August 2026———CPD Points: This episode is accredited for the following CPD points by the Financial Advice Association of Australia (FAAA). Complete the quiz here to claim your points.0.5 Total HoursKnowledge Requirements: Practice Management (0.50 hour)Legislated CPD Area: Client Care & Practice (0.50 hour)———Want more Basis Points?Sign up to the Basis Points emailJoin the conversation on LinkedInWatch all episodes in full and relive some of our favourite clips on YouTube———Basis Points is a product of Equity Mates Media.This podcast is intended for education and entertainment purposes. Any advice is general advice only, and has not taken into account your personal financial circumstances, needs or objectives. Before acting on general advice, you should consider if it is relevant to your needs and read the relevant Product Disclosure Statement. And if you are unsure, please speak to a financial professional.Equity Mates Media operates under Australian Financial Services Licence 540697. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

The rules around leverage have changed. So what does that mean for advisers?With residential property LRBAs no longer available inside SMSFs, instalment warrants remain one way advisers can use leverage in super.Citi Global Markets Director Elizabeth Tian and Five Financial Managing Partner and Head of Advice Jason Petersen join Ally to explain how instalment warrants actually work, where they fit compared to geared ETFs and margin loans, and the risks advisers need to consider.Plus, Jason shares two real client strategies, including how leverage can be used for retirees and younger accumulators.Chapters:00:00 Leverage After Budget Changes02:23 Instalment Warrants Explained05:13 New Tax Rules Reshape Gearing09:48 Why Use Leverage?12:12 Who Uses Instalment Warrants?14:57 Gearing Across Life Stages18:36 SMSF Risks and Guardrails21:10 The Long-Term Gearing Impact📈 Stocks and ETFs Mentioned:Citigroup (NYSE: C)This episode was recorded on 25th August 2026.——CPD Points: This episode is accredited for the following CPD points by the Financial Advice Association of Australia (FAAA).Complete the quiz here to claim your points.0.5 Total HoursKnowledge Requirements: Derivatives (0.50 hour)Legislated CPD Area: Technical Competence (0.50 hour)——This episode has been sponsored by TMX Australia Exchange - formerly Cboe Australia. To learn more or subscribe for insights and events, visit www.tmxaustralia.com. Thanks to TMX Australia for helping us keep our content free. Citi’s warrants are traded on TMX. If you're looking to understand the structured product options available to your clients, head to https://au.citifirst.com/ to find out more.——Want more Basis Points?Sign up to the Basis Points emailJoin the conversation on LinkedInWatch all episodes in full and relive some of our favourite clips on YouTube——Basis Points is a product of Equity Mates Media.his podcast is intended for education and entertainment purposes. Any advice is general advice only, and has not taken into account your personal financial circumstances, needs or objectives. Before acting on general advice, you should consider if it is relevant to your needs and read the relevant Product Disclosure Statement. And if you are unsure, please speak to a financial professional.Equity Mates Media operates under Australian Financial Services Licence 540697. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

AI tools have had a very “superficial” impact on financial advice so far.That’s according to today’s guest Simon O’Keefe, founder and CEO of Alcova, an AI adoption and safety company for Australian wealth management firms.He believes AI can be a “big unlock” for persistent capacity constraints the industry faces. But that so far, financial advisers are using it in ways that barely scratch the surface of what the technology can do.In this episode, Simon joins Ally to explain why note-takers and copilots aren’t transforming advice businesses, what an AI-native advice practice could look like, and why the traditional CRM model may be under threat.By the end of this episode, you’ll have a clearer picture of what AI could actually change in financial advice, and how to prepare your practice for it.Chapters:00:00 AI’s Adoption Problem03:14 Why AI Adoption Takes Time05:42 The Problem With AI Tools07:49 The Future Advice Tech Stack09:53 Is Your Client Data Safe?12:49 Future-Proofing Your AI Strategy15:29 Who’s Actually Using AI Well?17:52 How Leading Firms Use AI20:29 One AI Experiment To Try23:59 AI Isn’t Driving Growth Yet📈 Stocks and ETFs Mentioned: Salesforce (NYSE: CRM)This episode was recorded on 11th August, 2026.———CPD Points: This episode is accredited for the following CPD points by the Financial Advice Association of Australia (FAAA). Complete the quiz here to claim your points.0.5 Total HoursKnowledge Requirements: Practice Management (0.50 hour)Legislated CPD Area: Client Care & Practice (0.50 hour)———This episode has been sponsored by Alcova AI. To see how Alcova can future proof your AI roadmap head to alcova.ai———Want more Basis Points?Sign up to the Basis Points emailJoin the conversation on LinkedInWatch all episodes in full and relive some of our favourite clips on YouTube———Basis Points is a product of Equity Mates Media.This podcast is intended for education and entertainment purposes. Any advice is general advice only, and has not taken into account your personal financial circumstances, needs or objectives. Before acting on general advice, you should consider if it is relevant to your needs and read the relevant Product Disclosure Statement. And if you are unsure, please speak to a financial professional.Equity Mates Media operates under Australian Financial Services Licence 540697. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.