Understanding Investments

Understanding Investments is the ultimate guide for Australians looking to take control of their finances. This new edition has been thoroughly updated for the modern investor, and includes essential information that will help you: Decipher the jargon Choose an investment strategy Work with a financial adviser Structure and diversify your portfolio Avoid costly tax pitfalls Covering investments ranging from shares, CFDs and managed funds through to options, property, collectables and much more, Understanding Investments provides you with the tools you need to make a profit in all types of markets. Whether you're just starting your investment journey or you're a seasoned investor wanting to learn more, this user-friendly guide contains the most up-to-date information to help you make the most from your money.

Part I: What you need to know 1 Investing today 3 2 Investment terms 13 3 Structuring your investment portfolio 31 4 Keeping track of your investments 47 5 Finding an adviser 61 6 Trading and researching over the internet 77 7 Tax considerations 89 Part II: Investment options 8 Investing in the sharemarket 109 9 More sophisticated sharemarket strategies 131 10 Hybrid securities and margin lending 149 11 Listed investment companies 163 12 New floats 177 13 Investing in managed funds 189 14 Hedge funds 203 15 Investing in bonds 217 16 Interest-bearing investments 231 17 Options and futures 245 18 Property investing basics 265 19 How to evaluate a property investment 279 20 Tax and property investments 291 21 Listed and unlisted property trusts 301 22 Investing in collectables 315 23 Superannuation 333 Appendix: Detailed DCF analysis 349 Index 351