Two fund managers share their views on a selection of well known stocks.
While the top end of town tends to steal the spotlight, real innovation often happens in the small and mid-cap space. From nimble fintech redefining how we bank to next-gen healthcare firms disrupting traditional delivery models to tech-savvy logistics players streamlining operations, there's a new wave of challengers taking on the incumbents. These companies may not yet be household names but many are leveraging technology, unique business models, or sharp customer focus to punch well above their weight. And in a market where growth is increasingly hard to come by, they offer investors a compelling, if sometimes risky, alternative. So, how do you sort the genuine disruptors from the hype machines? Which companies have the vision, execution, and balance sheets to go the distance, and which are more likely to fizzle out? Joining Livewire's Chris Conway to break it all down are Emanuel Datt from Datt Capital and Michael Steele from Yarra Capital. Together, they put three emerging challengers under the microscope. For good measure, they also name their favourite disruptor they are backing right now.
It's easy to forget that many of today's ASX blue chips – household names like CSL, REA Group and WiseTech – started life as small-cap stocks. While they may have flown under the radar at the time, patient investors who could spot their potential early on have been handsomely rewarded. In this episode, we're diving into the world of small caps, where volatility runs high, but the rewards can be even higher. More specifically, we're exploring how to separate the true long-term compounders from the companies fueled by hype, rather than fundamentals. Which business models are built to last? Which leaders have the vision and execution to deliver real growth? And what signs suggest a small company could one day play in the big leagues? To help us tackle these questions, Livewire's Chris Conway was joined by two seasoned investors who know the small-cap landscape inside and out: Emanuel Datt from Datt Capital and Michael Steele from Yarra Capital Management. For good measure, they each share an ASX name they are backing to become the next big thing. Please note this episode was filmed on 7 May 2025.
Equity investors, quite rightly, are looking beyond large caps for opportunity. There's only so much Commonwealth Bank and Magnificent 7 you can have in a portfolio before things start to look top-heavy. But moving down the market cap spectrum does not have to equal higher risk - not if you know where to look. Whilst small-cap names are often under-researched and overlooked, this can create opportunities for outsized returns. The key is to have a process for unearthing the mispriced or underappreciated gems. So, in this episode, Datt Capital's Emanuel Datt and Yarra Capital's Michael Steele share what they are looking for when mining the small-cap space, before putting their method to the test by analysing three small-cap names. For good measure, they each share a diamond in the rough small cap that they are backing right now. Please note this episode was filmed on 7 May 2025.
With Livewire's inaugural Growth Series in full swing, special guest host - CommSec's Tom Piotrowski - is back in the chair for another round of Buy, Hold, Sell. This time he's asking the big questions, including what the key risks are for ASX growth companies today, and how professionals manage downside when the inevitable arrives. Answering those questions are Ellerston's James Barker and Ausbil's Andrew Peros. Tom also quizzes them on past growth investments that exceeded expectations, and which early-stage indicators they pay most attention to. And that's all before we get to the traditional Buy Hold Sell fare, running the ruler over five overlooked growth stocks. Are they misunderstood, or has the market ditched them for a reason? If you love growth investing, don't miss this bumper episode. , investors piled into early-stage lithium hopefuls. This episode was filmed 21 May, 2025
With Livewire's inaugural Growth Series kicking off next week, we're bringing you a special series of Buy Hold Sell focused on growth stocks. Against the backdrop of an incredibly volatile macro picture, punctuated by Trump's flip-flop on tariffs, we explore how growth investing is being reshaped in real time. Known for punching above our weight on many fronts, we also uncover the sectors and industries where Australia has a competitive edge. That's all before we deliver what Buy Hold Sell is best known for, running the ruler over three stocks that are on the move as well as two growth ideas our experts reckon the market is overlooking. To help navigate this bumper episode, special guest host Tom Piotrowski from Commsec is joined by Ellerston's James Barker and Ausbil's Andrew Peros. Don't miss the insights as we set the scene for a journey through growth investing over the next couple of weeks. This episode was filmed 21 May, 2025
There are myriad benefits for companies with powerful earnings potential. So, which ASX companies have such earnings potential, and are they currently priced correctly? To answer those questions, Livewire's Anna Dadic is joined by Will Granger from Airlie Funds Management and Marc Whittaker from IML. In this episode, they analyse three ASX companies exhibiting strong earnings that are set to grow in the future. For good measure, they each outline the bull case on one company they believe has significant earnings upside. Please note this episode was filmed on 7 May 2025.
When you're looking to buy something, one of the first things you ask is: what's the quality like? No one wants something that'll fall apart or blow up in their face. One of the big bugbears is reliability - most people want something that's built to last when they're putting their money into it. Same goes for stocks. The word quality gets bandied around a lot, and while there's a broadly accepted definition, it can mean different things to different people. Different strokes for different folks. To unpack what it means for those hunting in the small and mid-cap space, Livewire's Anna Dadic is joined by Will Granger from Airlie Funds Management and Marc Whittaker from IML. In this episode, they will discuss why quality becomes so significant in market turbulence and share their current favourite high-quality small and mid-cap stock names. Please note this episode was filmed on 7 May 2025.
When markets take a dive like they did recently, the use of the word "quality" increases dramatically. Suddenly, everyone is hunting quality stocks that can withstand whatever is being thrown at them by the economy and by the market. But what exactly is quality? Well, it has many faces, but companies with strong financial metrics, like high return on equity and strong competitive advantages, are high on the list. So, which ASX companies exhibit these traits and how do the pros rate them? To answer those questions, Livewire's Anna Dadic was joined by Will Granger from Airlie Funds Management and Marc Whittaker from IML. In this episode they analyse five ASX names that fit the bill and each outline the bull case on one company they believe is set to thrive. Please note this episode was filmed on 7 May 2025.
The RBA meets next month, with the decision due on 20 May. Regardless of what happens with the election and despite this week's slightly hotter-than-expected inflation print, a rate cut is "locked in" according to Westpac. Many in the market agree. And whilst some believe it is the last cut we could get for a while, the market is pricing in up to three more cuts for the rest of the year. Should these cuts materialise, there is a cohort of capital-intensive and consumer-facing businesses that could benefit from lower debt costs and increased disposable income. Of course, this outlook needs to be balanced against the reason for the cuts in the first place - a slowing economy. To help us understand where that balance lies, guest host Matthew Kidman of Centennial Asset Management was joined by Matthew Haupt from Wilson Asset Management and Tim Johnston from Tyndall Asset Management. Together, they run the ruler over no less than five ASX companies that could benefit from lower rates. For good measure, they share a name that they believe will be a winner in a lower rate environment. Please note this episode was filmed on 23 April 2025.
With inflation finally heading in the right direction and Trump's trade war throwing global markets a curveball, investors are laser-focused on central banks, and the RBA is firmly in the spotlight. A second rate cut is widely expected in May, with markets pricing in a 98% chance. So, how are the pros positioning their portfolios in a falling rate environment? To unpack this and more, Matthew Haupt from Wilson Asset Management and Tim Johnston from Tyndall Asset Management sat down with special guest host, Matthew Kidman from Centennial Asset Management. In the episode, they dig into how lower interest rates influence portfolio construction, which sectors stand to benefit, and how professionals assess the impact on capital-intensive or heavily indebted companies. They also explore the growing importance of dividends and yield in a low-rate environment, and, of course, share one rate-sensitive stock they believe the market is currently mispricing. If you're looking to sharpen your strategy in a shifting rate environment, this episode is not to be missed. Please note this episode was filmed on 23 April 2025
With one rate cut already in the books and another expected from the RBA in May, the landscape for Australian equities is shifting fast. Markets are now pricing in as many as three additional cuts over the next year, raising a critical question for investors: which ASX stocks stand to benefit - and which could struggle - as interest rates continue to fall? In this episode, Centennial Asset Management's Matthew Kidman hosts Matthew Haupt from Wilson Asset Management and Tim Johnston from Tyndall Asset Management - two investors with deep insights into how monetary policy moves ripple through the ASX. They reveal which companies they believe are poised to outperform in a falling rate environment, which ones are worth avoiding, and how they're positioning their portfolios for what could be a very different 12 months ahead. Please note this episode was filmed on 23 April 2025.
The recent surge in gold prices has been described by some as a once-in-40-year gift for investors. It has been a perfect backdrop for the precious metal, driven by a weaker US dollar, escalating US-China trade tensions, and growing concerns about global economic stability. Gold equities have also participated in the rally, although not quite to the same extent as the underlying commodity. So, where to for gold from here and which companies are best placed to capitalise? To help answer those questions, Livewire's James Marlay was joined by Ben Richards from Seneca Financial Solutions and Daniel Sullivan from Janus Henderson. Ben and Dan share their perspectives on the current gold market dynamics, where they are finding value amongst explorers, developers and producers, and – most importantly, which stocks they like. Please note this episode was filmed on 9 April 2025.
In the latest episode of Livewire's Buy Hold Sell, host James Marlay is joined by two battle-hardened commodity experts to run the ruler over one of the most volatile and recently unloved sectors of the market: lithium and battery metals. After a meteoric rise in 2021 and 2022, lithium prices have taken a sharp turn, falling significantly over the past year. This pullback has left many investors questioning whether the sector's structural tailwinds—such as electrification and the global energy transition—are still intact. Joining the conversation are Ben Richards of Seneca Financial Solutions and Daniel Sullivan from Janus Henderson Investors, who share their insights on where value is emerging and what to steer clear of. They delve into the recent price weakness, explore how far valuations have reset, and debate which companies and commodities are best positioned for a rebound. Whether you're already exposed or just lithium-curious, this episode is essential viewing for anyone trying to navigate the next phase of the commodity cycle. Please note this video was filmed on 9 April 2025.
Recent weeks have delivered a fresh bout of volatility across global markets, driven by tariff tantrums, bending bond markets, and irritable investors. Nothing has been spared, not even commodities. Prices for iron ore have softened, copper has been smashed, and coal has continued to come under long-term pressure. But as seasoned investors know, periods of weakness can often uncover the most compelling opportunities. With that in mind, Livewire's James Marlay sat down with two commodities specialists in Janus Henderson's Daniel Sullivan and Seneca Financial's Ben Richards to pick through the rubble. They share their outlooks for key commodities, the forces shaping supply and demand, and where they're finding value — both on the ASX and globally. Please note this episode was filmed on 9 April 2025.
When markets turn rough, it's often small and mid-cap stocks that wear the brunt of the pain. Take 2022, for example. While the ASX 200 slipped just 1%, the Small Ordinaries Index tumbled nearly 20%. But a falling share price doesn't always mean a falling star - some of the greatest investment comebacks are buried beneath the rubble of a market correction. Consider Eagers Automotive, which plunged from $3.20 to below $1 during the GFC before surging above $16 with a healthy dividend yield. Or Afterpay, which collapsed to $8.01 in March 2020 only to rocket back to $70 within months. Drawdowns like these can offer bold investors serious upside, but only if you back the right names. The real opportunity lies in spotting companies with strong fundamentals and a compelling long-term outlook that's masked by a weak share price. In this episode of Buy Hold Sell, we're joined by David Allingham from Eley Griffiths and Marcus Burns from Spheria to uncover which beaten-down stocks are primed for recovery (and which ones deserve to stay on the sidelines). You can watch or read an edited transcript of this interview here: https://www.livewiremarkets.com/wires/buy-hold-sell-3-asx-small-and-mid-cap-recovery-plays-and-2-names-to-avoid
Of the top 20 largest and most successful US companies from the past quarter century, only three remain constituents today – Walmart, Exxon Mobil and JP Morgan Chase. Of the top 20 largest and most successful Australian companies from 2000, more than half remain as constituents, with banks and miners dominating. While our biggest companies have served us well, the lack of innovation and new entrants into the upper echelons leaves the top part of our market looking old hat compared to global peers, lacking diversification and growth potential. Fortunately, looking outside the top 20 yields a different result. The small and mid-cap space is rich with companies on the cutting edge, disrupting industries and carving out new markets. But there are also greater risks. So, how are investors to sort the wheat from the chaff? To find out, Livewire's Vishal Teckchandani is joined by Marcus Burns from Spheria Asset Management and David Allingham from Eley Griffiths Group. They share what they look for in small and mid-caps (SMID) and, for good measure, they highlight a favourite SMID they believe has staying power. This video was recorded on 26 March 2025.
Hunting for the next breakout small or mid-cap stock isn't about chasing headlines or hype – it's about backing gritty, cash-generating companies with rock-solid balance sheets and management teams bold enough to make smart decisions without constantly rattling the tin. In this episode of Buy Hold Sell, Livewire's Vishal Teckchandani puts five high-potential ASX ex-20 stocks under the microscope with David Allingham from Eley Griffiths and Marcus Burns from Spheria – spanning homegrown global exporters to local names with serious staying power – to uncover what truly separates the standouts from the rest. Plus, each fundie reveals their top mid-cap pick – a compelling business flying under the radar that not only ticks all the boxes, but has a clear strategy to keep delivering growth. This episode was filmed on 26 March 2025.
In investing, every basis point counts. Keeping costs low is one of the simplest ways to boost long-term returns, and some of the best-performing ETFs and LICs charge less than 0.10% in annual fees, proving that strong performance doesn't always come with a high price tag. In this episode of Buy Hold Sell, we're going bottom-fishing for the cheapest funds on the ASX. Joining us to break down the best rock-bottom-fee strategies are Charlie Viola from Viola Private Wealth and Adam Dawes from Shaw and Partners. Are these low-cost funds worth the hype? Let's find out.
Should investors start taking Bitcoin seriously, just as we should have taken tech stocks more seriously in the 2010s? Paul Tudor Jones, the billionaire hedge fund manager who famously called the '87 crash, made a bold bet on Bitcoin in 2020. Since then, it's surged over 1,200%. His reasoning? If beating inflation is a race, Bitcoin is the fastest horse. Yet, many investors remain sceptical. Unlike traditional assets, Bitcoin has no cash flows, no earnings, and no tangible value - making it easy to dismiss. But are we making the same mistake with Bitcoin that sceptics made with Amazon and Apple decades ago? With institutional adoption accelerating, crypto markets maturing, and Bitcoin hitting record highs (until the recent dip), the case for it as a legitimate asset is stronger than ever. Is it time to move past old biases and rethink its place in a portfolio? To break it down, we're joined by Charlie Viola from Viola Private Wealth and Adam Dawes from Shaw and Partners. Watch, read or listen to the podcast below.
A winning portfolio is like a championship team; star players in attack, rock-solid defense, and steady hands at the helm. In this episode of Buy Hold Sell, Livewire's Vishal Teckchandani calls on selectors Adam Dawes (Shaw and Partners) and Charlie Viola (Viola Private Wealth) to draft the ultimate lineup of listed investments. With nine ETFs and LICs - five chosen by Vishal plus two wildcards from each expert - they're hunting for the Ricky Pontings and Emma McKeons of the ASX. Whether you seek growth, resilience, or cash flow, they've got you covered. Watch, read, or listen below to find your portfolio's MVPs.
It's every investor's dream: get in at the right time on a great growth company and ride the wave to untold riches. It might sound like a pipedream, and it is indeed hard to do, but there have been plenty of examples over the past decade. Globally, names like Nvidia, Apple, Microsoft and Google spring to mind, whilst locally names like ProMedicus and TechnologyOne fit the bill. So, how does one go about hunting these unicorns, and what are the companies right now with massive growth runways ahead of them? We're talking about names with sustainable competitive advantages, good returns on capital, strong balance sheets, and that are disruption-resistant. To help answer that question, and run the ruler over three prospective growth standouts, Livewire's James Marlay was joined by Vihari Ross from Antipodes and James Tsinidis from Munro Partners. For good measure, they also share one company they believe is destined to rise to up the growth stock leaderboard over coming years. Note: This episode was recorded on Wednesday, 26 February 2025.
The stock market is constantly evolving but, every decade, a few megatrends reshape entire industries - creating huge opportunities for investors who spot them early. Today, AI is revolutionising everything from automation to chip design, with the global AI market projected to grow from US$207 billion in 2023 to over US$1.8 trillion by 2030, according to Grand View Research. Meanwhile, the clean energy transition, shifting demographics, and deglobalisation are rewriting economic playbooks. Getting these megatrends right isn't just important, it can be the difference between market-beating returns and falling behind. Just look at how Amazon capitalised on e-commerce or how Nvidia surged over 3,000% in the past decade thanks to AI-driven demand. In this episode of Buy Hold Sell, we'll break down the biggest megatrends shaping the future, explore why they matter, and discuss how investors can position themselves to ride the wave. We'll also unpack a couple that could be on the decline. To do that, Livewire's James Marlay was joined by Vihari Ross from Antipodes and James Tsinidis from Munro Partners. For good measure, they each share a stock idea set to benefit from their favourite megatrend. Note: This episode was recorded on Wednesday, 26 February 2025.
Whether you're a fund manager overseeing billions or a Livewire reader investing your hard-earned money, there is no better time than the end of reporting season. Firstly, because it's bloody exhausting, and secondly, because it's the clearest picture you will ever get of the health of corporate Australia and the shape of your own portfolio. Right now is the moment where there is the least noise, the least speculation, and the least fluff. This moment allows investors to make some intelligent decisions, with the fullest information possible, about which opportunities they want to pursue, and forgo, over the coming six months. So, what were the key themes from the season? And, more importantly, which stocks crushed it - and which got crushed? To help answer those questions, Livewire's James Marlay sat down with James Gerrish from Market Matters and Jun Bei Liu from Tencap for this special February 2025 reporting season wrap-up of Buy Hold Sell. Note: This episode was recorded on Thursday, 26 February 2025.
Tech companies have carved out a special place in the zeitgeist. Like Sting and Madonna, they often go by singular names and, in many cases, those names have become verbs. We don't search online, we Google. We don't request a ride, we Uber. Often, when companies reach such a status, there is a coalescence between their use in parlance, our use of their products in everyday life, and a sky-high share price. The question we, as investors, must seek to ask and answer, however, only concerns the latter. Is the business priced appropriately for the expected future return? That's not so easy to do when the whole world is in love with a company, and its products are so widely used. But that's what fund managers signed up for, and so that's the question, amongst others, that we're exploring in this episode of Buy, Hold, Sell, where Livewire's James Marlay was joined by Vihari Ross from Antipodes, and James Tsinidis from Munro Partners. For good measure, Ross and Tsinidis each share a tech stock they think is so compelling you can't ignore it. Note: This episode was recorded on Wednesday, 26 February 2025.
If property investing is all about location, location, location, then equity yield is all about consistency, consistency, consistency. Yes, investors want a suitable level of yield but the smart ones are willing to relinquish some of that level for a higher degree of consistency. Not convinced? Well, Livewire's Carl Capolingua wrote a wire last year titled "The most consistent dividend paying stocks in the ASX top 50". It was read almost 50,000 times, had 170 likes, and was one of the most popular wires of 2024. So, with dividend consistency the name of the game, in this episode of Buy Hold Sell, Michael O'Neill from IML and Ben Clark from TMS Private Wealth run the ruler over three stocks that have maintained dividend consistency over an extended period. They also each highlight a stock where the level or consistency of yield could come under pressure. Note: This episode was recorded on Wednesday, 12 February 2025.
Traditionally, investors who have wanted yield have needed only to look at what a company has paid in the past and the consistency with which they have paid it in order to construct a fairly high-yielding and robust portfolio. But with share prices surging and earnings not growing as fast, it's not so simple anymore. Take the poster child for the movement, Commonwealth Bank (ASX: CBA), as an example. When it was first listed, its yield was north of 7%. Today, it hovers around 3%. Many would point to the fact that the CBA share price has risen circa 50% in the past 12 months as adequate compensation for the lower yield, but for many investors, there is not even an inkling of selling to crystallise those gains. "Been in CBA since 2014. I'm not going anywhere", was the comment from Tom, a Livewire reader, on a recent wire about CBA's valuation. Imagine if you bought in the IPO in 1991 - "they'll have to pry them out of my cold, dead hands" was the comment from another reader. Some investors rely on suitable yields to fund their retirements, and a sub 4% average yield on the ASX All Ordinaries doesn't cut it. So, how are the professionals hunting for yield in the current environment? Are they sticking to the tried and tested methods, believing this is just another part of the cycle, or have they changed tack? To answer those questions, Livewire's Sara Allen is joined by Michael O'Neill from IML and Ben Clark from TMS Private Wealth. For good measure, our guests each bring along their top income stock for the year ahead. Note: This episode was recorded on Wednesday, 12 February 2025.
With the stock market surging to all-time highs and the rally being driven by a narrow slice of the market, one of the unwelcome outcomes has been a falling average yield on the ASX. It currently sits well below 4% for the All Ordinaries - about the long-term average - as seen on the chart below. As most of you would know, every year we conduct a survey as part of our Outlook Series, where we ask a host of questions, including “What is your favourite income stock?” Nearly 5000 of you shared your thoughts with us across the Livewire and Market Index platforms, and in this episode of Buy Hold Sell, you're in for a real treat. We're going to run the ruler over five of your most-tipped income stocks - but there is one small caveat: the stocks must have a higher-than-market average yield. To do that, Livewire's Sara Allen is joined by Michael O'Neill from IML and Ben Clark from TMS Private Wealth. For good measure, our guests each bring along a stock they think should have made the list, as their top income stock for 2025. Note: This episode was recorded on Wednesday, 12 February 2025.
Sales growth is one of the most important metrics when evaluating growth stocks. Let's face it: it's hard to be a growth company if you're not constantly selling more products and services to consumers. Companies with strong sales growth demonstrate market demand, expansion potential, and the ability to capture a larger share of the industry, and investors often rightly look at sales growth to identify companies that are scaling rapidly and gaining traction in their respective markets. That said, sales growth alone is no panacea. If viewed in isolation, it can even be misleading. High sales growth does not necessarily equate to financial health or long-term profitability. Some companies may aggressively grow sales but struggle with rising costs, poor margins, or excessive debt. Without strong profitability and cash flow management, even a high-growth company can face financial instability. With all that in mind, this episode sees our guests running the ruler over a handful of stocks that have exhibited strong sales growth. Are they all they are cracked up to be, or have investors been wrong-footed as share prices have departed from reality? To answer those questions, Livewire's Hans Lee was joined by David Wilson from First Sentier Investors and Joe McCarthy from Elston Asset Management. For good measure, they each share a stock with strong sales growth which also ticks all the other boxes. Note: This episode was recorded on Wednesday, 30 January 2024.
Whether you're an experienced investor or just starting out, identifying stocks with the potential for significant long-term growth is both an art and a science. Growth stocks have historically been some of the biggest wealth creators in the market, but finding the right ones requires careful analysis, patience, and let's face it, a bit of intuition. Whilst most growth stocks will have strong metrics, like revenue and earnings growth and improving earnings per share, a host of less tangible factors help separate the great from the good. How strong is the company's competitive advantage, for example? How good is the management team? And how innovative or disruptive is the company - and does it even need to be? In this episode of Buy Hold Sell, David Wilson from First Sentier Investors and Joe McCarthy from Elston Asset Management join Livewire's Hans Lee to share their process for identifying growth stocks, the key metrics they focus on, and the red flags that would see them steer away from opportunities. Not content with just theorising however, they each share their top ASX growth stock for 2025. Note: This episode was recorded on Wednesday 30 January 2024.
Last year saw markets rally strongly, powered primarily by growth stocks. Aside from some volatility earlier this week, that bullish trend has continued this year, with growth stocks again leading the way. As most of you would know, every year we conduct a survey as part of our Outlook Series, where we ask a host of questions, including “What is your favourite growth stock?” This year, nearly 5000 of you shared your thoughts with us across the Livewire and Market Index platforms, and in this first episode of Buy Hold Sell for the new season, you're in for a real treat. We're going to run the ruler over five of your most-tipped growth stocks. To do that, Livewire's Hans Lee is joined by Joe McCarthy from Elston and David Wilson from First Sentier Investors. For good measure, our guests each bring along a stock they think has great growth prospects in 2025, despite not ranking in the top five of your most-tipped stocks. Note: This episode was recorded on Wednesday 30 January 2024.
Legendary investor Warren Buffett once quipped: “Diversification is protection against ignorance. It makes little sense if you know what you are doing.” By the Oracle of Omaha's standards, most of us are a bit ignorant, and gladly so, relishing the “free lunch” that diversification provides. But what if you didn't have that option? What if you were limited to holding just one stock for an entire year? That's the challenge we put to 10 leading fund managers as part of our 2025 Outlook Series. Livewire has handpicked a selection of investment experts for their outlook for the year ahead. Their answers reveal some fascinating insights into the companies and themes they believe tick the “sleep at night” box - stocks that stand out for their resilience, ability to handle uncertainty, or simply having a lot going for them. These include businesses riding key megatrends, supplying critical medicines, or executing strategies that position them to dominate key market segments. To find out what the stocks are, watch the video, listen to the podcast, or read our edited transcript at this website.
Everyone is hunting for the next big winner in the stock market, but sometimes it pays to go back to basics. Where is a better place to start than by drawing on the wisdom of the Oracle of Omaha, Warren Buffett? Buffett is famously quoted as saying his first rule of investing is "never lose money". After all, compounding your capital is much easier when starting from a higher base. It is equally simple for those interested in his second rule - "never forget rule number one". There are always plenty of investors willing to give their views on which investments look good, but hearing about stocks to sell or at least avoid is less common. Looking through the nominations in the wire below, a few things stand out. Many of the stocks named have had incredible runs in 2024 and have benefitted from hot themes, changes in regulation and the prospect of big wins with binary outcomes. Some of the success will no doubt have been the result of good management. It almost always is when share prices are heading north! It's also evident that many of these stocks have loyal supporters who believe in the vision of an enigmatic founder. Whilst Tesla isn't on this list, it is probably one of the most outstanding examples of a widowmaker trade for short sellers, and Elon Musk has consistently defied the doubters. The final point is that while our guests do note the quality of a number of the businesses, valuation often becomes the barrier. Buffett, the world's greatest investor, attained this status by being ruthlessly disciplined about the price he was willing to pay for a stock and equally disciplined when it came to selling. Buffett has been aggressively offloading his Apple shares despite its ubiquitous presence in our daily lives. Having already named their growth picks, we've asked our guests to nominate the stocks they're avoiding in 2025.
Sometimes, the best investment ideas are the ones that either no one thinks of or the herd has left for dead. Two years ago, Australian property trusts finished the year down 20% as the fastest interest rate hiking cycle in 40 years left a scarring impact on valuations. But if you were, to paraphrase Warren Buffett, being greedy and buying up REITs in 2023 when others were fearful, you would have finished up with the second best-performing asset class in the following year. Or, consider Chinese equities, cellar-dwellers in 2021, 2022, and 2023. But as of the end of Q3 2024, they actually top the BlackRock asset class quilt. In other words, being courageous (given the right research, attractive fundamentals, and some luck) can sometimes net you the biggest returns. And of course, who could forget some of the bravest calls in all of investment folklore. Once upon a time, short US housing was a massive bet. But Michael Burry and Steve Eisman are now famous for it. Or buying British Pounds and converting them to German Deutsche Marks was a very brave way to short the British economy. But thanks to his research and his guts, George Soros made a $2 billion profit and earned the moniker "the man who broke the Bank of England." With this spirit in mind, we've asked 10 young-gun stock pickers to tell us about a contrarian investment they are backing in 2025. The stocks they mention span the full length of the consumer - from long-forgotten retailers to luxury brands known the world over. Other honourable mentions include growth stocks which may have been forgotten about in this AI-induced rally and four names linked to the commodities trade, which must say something about where fundies are finding the most value right now. To find out what the stocks are, watch the video, listen to the podcast, or read our edited transcript at this website.
Move over big tech, there are more opportunities in town. After starting 2024 with earnings downgrades for a range of sectors and a slowdown in consumer spending, it was a bumper year for a number of sectors. Consumer discretionary was one surprise winner, with well-positioned brands like JB Hi-Fi and Nick Scali taking charge. Australian banks facing into a tougher environment continued to outperform, as did the financial sector on the whole, with insurers taking advantage of higher premiums. Biotech also started to surge, as falling rates outside of Australia and a number of successful clinical trials bolstered the sector. Of course, the big tech companies continued to dominate and push markets to record highs - it's hard to ignore the extraordinary growth in the likes of Nvidia for example, but it's worth noting the pace of the growth seems to be moderating somewhat. With valuations at a premium in the tech sector, there are a range of other areas where fund managers are hunting for big growth. Now could be a great time to be looking at these industries and economies. 2025 has started on a promising footing. Inflation seems to be moderating, global rates are finally falling, and there are signs of strength and improvement in a range of economies. The scene has been set for a big year in markets. Is it any wonder the experts seem decidedly bullish? 2025 could be the year for healthcare companies to continue to really fly, the energy transition to push certain commodities to new heights and the return of manufacturing. As part of Livewire's annual Outlook Series, we recently asked 10 of Australia's top fund managers to answer which industries, sectors or areas of the market they see the biggest growth potential in for 2025. We also asked them to name at least one stock they are using for exposure. Our featured fund managers include (in order of appearance): Sam Ruiz, T.Rowe Price Jessica Farr-Jones, Regal Funds Management Nick Guidera, Eley Griffiths Group Elise Kennedy, Schroders Lucas Goode, IML Zoe Middleton, Platinum Asset Management Todd Warren, Tribeca Investment Partners Rachel Folder, Pendal Group Brittany Isakka, Spheria Asset Management James Barker, Ellerston Capital Note: The information provided is not intended to be a recommendation and is offered in the spirit of the Outlook Series. None of the fund managers invest in a single industry or theme; they incorporate these within a broader diversified portfolio where they adjust exposures over time based on their analysis of activity and stocks. Please do your own research and seek advice from a professional before making any investment decisions. Past performance is not a reliable indicator of future returns. You can watch the video by clicking the player, listen to the podcast, or read an edited transcript at the following website. These interviews were filmed on Tuesday, 10 December 2024.
The name Thomas Rowe Price Junior should have been consigned to the investing scrap heap. Born in 1898, Price's career was just hitting its stride as the Great Depression hit and hit hard. At the time, he was the head of investment for the broking firm MacKubin, Legg and Co., but instead of developing great hate for markets, he fell even more in love with them. That inspired him to start T. Rowe Price and Associates in 1937, with a then-revolutionary focus on growth investing. His guiding philosophy was that by investing in well-managed companies operating in deep pools of opportunity, he could generate returns ahead of inflation and the overall economy. It's a philosophy that would earn Price the moniker the “Father of growth investing”. T. Rowe Price still operates to this day and manages around US$1.6 trillion globally. So, how would Price's philosophy stack up today? Probably pretty well. From 1990-2020, growth stocks delivered an average annual return of about 12%, compared to around 9% for value stocks. Over the journey, growth investing has shown resilience during economic downturns, as companies with strong fundamentals and innovative products tend to recover faster and maintain their competitive edge. With all this in mind, we asked ten of Australia's brightest investment minds, covering both ASX and global stocks, for their top growth pick in 2025.
Anyone with children or grandchildren will no doubt have said at some point, "You'd better be good so that you end up on Santa's 'nice' list." Of course, the inference is that nice children get more presents. So, in the spirit of Christmas, this latest episode of Buy Hold Sell saw Henry Jennings from Marcus Today and Hugh Dive from Atlas Funds Management run the ruler over a handful of stocks and decide whether they've been naughty or nice. For good measure, they each also nominate a stock they see as being on the naughty list in 2025. It could be a name that has done well this year but won't be able to maintain its good behaviour, or it could be a naughty stock that hasn't learned its lesson. Note: This episode was recorded on Wednesday 4 December 2024.
Every year, there are a couple of critical investment decisions that investors need to get right in order to set themselves up for a good year. These big decisions often trump stock picking or catching the latest fad at the right time. Rather, they are fundamental to giving yourself a fighting chance of outperforming. This year, if you did nothing else, buying the banks and selling the miners proved fruitful. A close second would have been staying long and strong in tech names, despite some of the nosebleed valuations we've all witnessed. So, what are the key themes investors need to have on their radar as we head into 2025? To answer that question, Livewire's Hans Lee sat down with Henry Jennings from Marcus Today and Hugh Dive from Atlas Funds Management. In this episode, they reflect on what worked and what didn't in 2024. They also highlight the key themes investors should have on their radars in 2025. For good measure, they each pick one stock that they would bet the house on – if they had to. - and one stock to avoid. Note: This episode was recorded on Wednesday 4 December 2024.
The end of the year naturally brings a time of reflection. We collectively get a moment to breathe and reflect on our family, friends, and work. For those who play Mr. Market's game, we also invariably run a critical eye over our portfolios and make some decisions on what to keep and what to turf like four-day-old Christmas leftovers. Shedding the duds also means hunting for new opportunities and while piling into the top 10 best performers from this year is always tempting, there are probably some equal, if not better opportunities to be had in the downtrodden. With that in mind, this latest episode of Buy Hold Sell sees Henry Jennings from Marcus Today and Hugh Dive from Atlas Funds Management rummaging in the bargain bin like someone who camps out for the Boxing Day sales. Will they find any unloved gems? As a bonus, Henry and Hugh each nominate a stock they think is set to get going in 2025. Note: This episode was recorded on Wednesday 4 December 2024
Every now and then, a company captures the attention of the entire market. Like lightning in a bottle, these companies are typically doing something innovative, disruptive and, more often than not, something that was previously considered impossible. The narrative around the company fuels the share price, and vice versa, and provided earnings keep up, a market darling is born. A previous example was Afterpay, which rocketed to notoriety, riding a wave of Buy-Now-Pay-Later fever. A current example is Life360 (ASX: 360) which has achieved market darling status and has been named by some as the most compelling growth stock on the ASX right now. So what are the stocks that the market is loving today? And are there any that have run too hard, with their share prices and outlooks departing from reality? To answer those questions, Livewire's Ally Selby was joined by Andrew Peros from Ausbil and David Keelan from Ellerston. In this episode, they run the ruler over three market darlings, and each name a stock they think is flashing red. Note: This episode was recorded on Wednesday 20 November 2024.
Ahh, the mystical 10-bagger. A stock that has delivered its investors a 10x return on their initial investment. Initially coined by legendary investor Peter Lynch, who was a fan of discovering undervalued stocks with sustainable and attractive earnings per share growth, a love of 10-baggers saw Lynch's Magellan Fund achieve a 29.2% average return over the 13 years he managed it. In his book, One Up on Wall Street, Lynch wrote, “In my business a four-bagger is nice, but a ten-bagger is the fiscal equivalent of two home runs and a double.” While this anonymous writer may not know anything about sports, I do know a few talented local fund managers who can help investors identify the ASX's next great 10-baggers. So, in this episode, Livewire's Ally Selby was joined by Ausbil's Andrew Peros and Ellerston's David Keelan. They share their secrets to identifying long-term compounders, the importance of backing strong founders, the red flags investors should look out for, and whether profitless companies are a problem or worth the risk. Plus, they each name a company that they believe could become the ASX's next 10-bagger. Note: This episode of Buy Hold Sell was recorded on Wednesday 20 November 2024. You can read an edited transcript below. https://www.livewiremarkets.com/wires/could-these-2-stocks-become-the-asx-s-next-10-baggers/
Small caps are nimble, fast-growing companies that punch well above their weight when it comes to delivering returns. Small caps may not have the size and scale of their large-cap counterparts, but that's exactly what makes them so exciting. These companies are often innovators or disruptors, capturing niche markets and delivering rapid growth as they expand. It's no wonder they've become a favourite hunting ground for investors looking for the next great 10-bagger. However, investing in small caps isn't without its risks. While some go on to become the blue chips of tomorrow, others can stumble as they navigate challenges like scaling up, raising capital, or competing against larger, better-resourced rivals. That's why picking the right small-cap stocks is critical - and that's exactly what this episode aims to help you do today. In this episode, we'll delve into five ASX-listed small caps with the help of David Keelan from Ellerston Capital and Andrew Peros from Ausbil Investment Management. From telecommunications to engineering, video game development, and even cyber safety for kids, these companies operate in sectors brimming with opportunity. Some have delivered spectacular returns over the past year - like Superloop, which has soared 215%, and Qoria, up 105%. Others, like Playside Studios, may be flying under investors' radars. So, are these stocks poised for further growth, or is it time to cash in? You'll find out in this episode of Buy Hold Sell. Note: This episode was recorded on Wednesday 20 November 2024. You can read an edited transcript below. https://www.livewiremarkets.com/wires/buy-hold-sell-5-of-the-asx-s-fastest-growing-small-caps/
Traditional long-only investors, who don't tinker with their cash levels much, typically participate in all of the market's upside when it is flying and all of its downside when it's not. Markets typically increase over time, so this is a perfectly acceptable way to invest. Long/short investors, however, can also profit when markets fall—but that's too simplistic an explanation. It suggests that long/short managers make money equally when markets go up and down, which is rarely the case. Because long/short managers are also active beta managers (i.e. they pick stocks to outperform a benchmark or achieve a specific objective), they typically capture most of a market's upside while significantly limiting losses on the downside. That means that much of their alpha (overall outperformance) is often generated by providing much better protection when things are bad versus smashing the market when it is flying. With all that in mind, what better time to ask two long/short managers for their top defensive picks than right now - when equity markets are at all-time highs and valuations are on the ritzy side? On this episode, Livewire's James Marlay is joined by Jun Bei Liu from Tribeca and David Moberley from ClearLIfe Capital for their analysis of five stocks that could weather a coming downturn - whenever that may be. Note: This episode was recorded on Wednesday 6 November 2024.
One key function of long/short fund managers is to compare similar companies and trade them against each other. These companies are often found within sectors but can also be found across sectors, as companies with similar characteristics. Once identified, a long/short manager will buy the stronger-performing company in the pair and sell the weaker-performing company. This is known as a 'pairs' trade. This strategy also has the benefit of being market-neutral (given one long and one short trade in the pair). The ASX is littered with potential pairs trading opportunities. Some examples include Coles and Woolworths, Fortescue and Rio Tinto, and Santos and Woodside. Given the focus on comparing companies and actively trading them against each other, who better to ask for their best and worst picks in a sector than a couple of long/short fund managers? For those who love stock picks on both sides of the ball, this episode is for you. Livewire's James Marlay was joined by Tribeca Investment Partners' Jun Bei Liu and ClearLife Capital's David Moberley to discuss their best and worst picks in five different sectors. Note: This episode was recorded on Wednesday 6 November 2024.
Lithium darling Pilbara Minerals has overtaken Flight Centre as the most-shorted stock on the ASX. After what seems like years at the top of the list, the travel company has dropped down to the 30th most-shorted stock on the ASX - with a short interest of 5.75%. Today, only two of the 10 most-shorted stocks are not miners - while out of the top 20, only seven stocks are not within the minerals and resources sectors. It's fair to say then that the market remains bearish on the outlook for many of these stocks - with lithium and uranium miners heavily featured in the list. So, is there any value among the most shorted stocks on the ASX? Or should investors be steering clear of these stocks? To find out, Livewire's James Marlay was joined by Tribeca Investment Partners' Jun Bei Liu and ClearLife Capital's David Moberley. They analyse three of the most heavily shorted stocks on the ASX - including Boss Energy, IDP Education and Seek - and each name a stock that they believe could see a short squeeze. Note: This episode was recorded on Wednesday 6 November 2024. You can read an edited transcript below. https://www.livewiremarkets.com/wires/buy-hold-sell-hunting-for-value-among-5-of-the-asx-s-most-shorted-stocks/
Locally, founder-led businesses have been making headlines for all the wrong reasons. Take the downfall of Australian tech billionaire Richard White of WiseTech Global, for example, or the tax scandal claims circling Mineral Resources' Chris Ellison. On the global stage, founders can be far more divisive. Elon Musk is now being sued by Philadelphia's district attorney over his US$1 million daily election giveaways in a bid to boost Donald Trump's election campaign. In response, he posted a photo of a daily winner with a cheque on his social media platform X. Meanwhile, scandals seem to continuously orbit Facebook/Meta founder Mark Zuckerberg - who has been accused of (among other things) being a robot. In China, Alibaba's founder and leather jacket enthusiast Jack Ma literally disappeared after criticising the Chinese government. Many thought he was dead. So, is it worth investing in companies with controversial CEOs, founders and leaders? Or should investors be focusing on companies with leaders who have their heads down and are focusing on business growth instead? To find out, Livewire's Ally Selby was joined by Antipodes' Jacob Mitchell and Magellan's Arvid Streimann. Note: This episode was recorded on Wednesday 23 October 2024. You can read an edited transcript below. https://www.livewiremarkets.com/wires/buy-hold-sell-5-stocks-with-controversial-leaders
We are only a week away from the US election - and it's arguably still anyone's guess who could win. Currently, betting markets have former US President Donald Trump at a 59% chance of winning a second term next week. That's despite Democrat nominee Kamala Harris leading in some of these same betting polls just one month ago. So, what would a Trump second term mean for markets? Or if Kamala pulls off the win, how should investors position their portfolios? In this episode, Livewire's Ally Selby was joined by Magellan's Arvid Streimann and Antipodes' Jacob Mitchell for a deep dive into the US election and its impact on investors. They discuss the macro forces that could shift as a result of a new administration or the status quo, the sectors and stocks that could benefit and suffer as a result of a Democrat and a Republican administration, and cast their prediction of who will become the next president of the United States. Note: This episode was recorded on Wednesday 23 October 2024. You can read an edited transcript below. https://www.livewiremarkets.com/wires/trump-v-kamala-what-a-win-for-either-party-will-mean-for-markets
With the US Federal Reserve cutting its cash rate by 50 basis points in September, Fitch Ratings predicts that the upper US federal funds target will fall to 4.5% by the end of the year, 3.5% by the end of 2025, and 3.0% by June 2026. Meanwhile, JP Morgan expects the Fed will cut by another 50 basis points in November. Looking out over the next few years, JP Morgan notes the Fed's “dot plot” has four more 25 bp cuts (totalling 100 bp) in 2025. It also notes that the Fed has increased projections for its neutral funds rate by another eighth of a percentage point to 2.875% — which it expects to reach in 2026. No one has a working crystal ball, but if expectations are anything to go by, interest rates (in the US at least) are on their way south. And while we may never see 0% cash rates again, lower cash rates are still positive for equities. So, in this episode, Livewire's Ally Selby was joined by Magellan's Arvid Streimann and Antipodes' Jacob Mitchell for their analysis of three interest-rate sensitive stocks that could benefit from this lower rate environment. Plus, they name two big buys that they are betting on today with this in mind. Note: This episode was recorded on Wednesday 23 October 2024. You can read an edited transcript below. https://www.livewiremarkets.com/wires/buy-hold-sell-5-interest-rate-sensitive-stocks-for-a-new-world-of-lower-rates/
Founder-led companies typically outperform their peers over the long term. Driven by a strong alignment of interest, a founder's long-term focus, and emotional dedication to a business's success, companies with founders at the helm are seen to be a safer bet than those with hired suits. Take Milford Asset Management, for example, which found the three-year performance of the founder-led stocks within their portfolio (23 companies) returned 24.9% per annum against the Small Ordinaries 2.7% to April 2024. Likewise, Solaris Investment Management found that over the last five years (from 2019 to 2024), the 12 largest founder-led companies on the ASX returned 420% while the benchmark accumulation index only returned 65%. So, in this episode, Livewire's Ally Selby was joined by two Hall of Fame fund managers in Ellerston's Chris Kourtis and Airlie's Matt Williams for their analysis of five founder-led companies. Are these bottom-drawer stocks, or should these founders get the boot? You'll find out in this episode of Buy Hold Sell. Note: This episode was recorded on Tuesday 8 October 2024. You can read the edited transcript below. https://www.livewiremarkets.com/wires/buy-hold-sell-5-founder-led-companies-on-the-rise
With decades of experience under their belts, it's fair to say that Ellerston's Chris Kourtis and Airlie's Matt Williams know a thing or two about investing. While their styles differ quite widely - Chris is a contrarian and Matt's all about quality and solid balance sheets - they both have their eyes keenly focused on their next opportunity. Interestingly, despite the different investment styles - valuation is one thing they can agree on - and make it clear that investors should take a fresh look at their portfolios and make sure they don't get caught out if we see a sell-off in the near future. Similarly, management is something that both our Hall of Fame fund managers are watching. However, while Matt is searching for businesses with teams that can execute well and help a stock soar, Chris is looking for missteps that could see the market punish a business far more than it should. So, in this episode, Livewire's Ally Selby sits down with Chris and Matt for their insights into how they are thinking about markets and the macro forces at play, as well as a deep dive into their strategies and what makes them tick. Plus, they also share one piece of advice so that investors can be successful over the next 12 months, and a stock that can help investors on their way. I should say this episode is quite long, so sit back, relax and get comfy. But then again, how often do you get to hear straight from two Hall of Fund managers in one episode? Note: This episode was recorded on Tuesday 8 October 2024. You can read the edited transcript below. https://www.livewiremarkets.com/wires/hall-of-fame-special-how-two-of-australia-s-best-invest
Each year, a fund manager is added to the Hall of Fame. It's an illustrious list, including only the best of the best Australian funds management talent - the likes of Olev Rahn, Kerr Neilson, Peter Morgan, Anton Tagliaferro, Catherine Allfrey and more. Given another name will be added to the list later this month, we've called on the big guns - Hall of Fame alumni Chris Kourtis from Ellerston Capital and Matt Williams from Airlie Funds Management, who were inducted into the Hall of Fame in 2018 and 2022 respectively. With a unique opportunity to have two Hall of Famers in one room, Livewire decided that the best use of their talent would be to pick apart each other's highest-conviction stock picks. So, in this episode, Matt and Chris share their best ideas today - and joyfully point out the holes in each other's theses. Note: This episode was recorded on Tuesday the 8th of October 2024. You can read the edited transcript below. https://www.livewiremarkets.com/wires/buy-hold-sell-2-hall-of-fame-investors-analyse-each-other-s-best-ideas
For years, experts have predicted a coming surge for copper. BHP, for instance, believes that copper demand will grow by around 70% to over 50 million tonnes (Mt) a year by 2050. For context, the total copper demand in 2023 was 31 million tonnes. But copper prices haven't really gone anywhere over the last three years - sitting at around the mid-US$4 level since November 2021. According to today's guests, slowing global economies has had a dampening effect on demand and kept copper prices suppressed at these levels. But looking out over the next five to 10 years, that demand will increase - meaning, it will be very hard for supply to keep up. The Fed's recent 50 bp rate cut is a catalyst - and supply shortages mean this theme won't last for 18 months or two years but for many years to come. So, in this episode, Money of Mine's Matt Michael was joined by Perennial's Sam Berridge and Argonaut's David Franklyn for their answers to the big copper conundrum. They analyse three copper stocks listed locally in Australia - including Sandfire Resources (ASX: SFR), Metals Acquisition (ASX: MAC) and Evolution Mining (ASX: EVN). Plus, they both name two big BUYS in the copper space that they are bullish on today. Note: This episode was recorded on Thursday 19 September 2024. You can read an edited transcript below. https://www.livewiremarkets.com/wires/buy-hold-sell-copper-s-time-has-finally-come-and-2-big-buys
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