It has been a difficult investment year, but 2016/17 finished on a high note. We started the 2016/17 with increases in investment values, then around October, 2016 the value of our investments slowly decreased, even at a greater rate compared with markets in general. At the end of May 2017,… read more →
The trend towards local energy generation is growing and we have found two opportunities in this area. Though similar, they are quite different in their maturity. Pacific Energy (ASX: PEA) owns and operates two hydro generation facilities in Victoria and supplies power to remote locations, mainly mining sites, including the Kalgoorlie… read more →
We have formed the opinion that there is a more than 50% chance of significant falls in equity markets both here and overseas. To protect shareholders we have been selling any equity which appear to be weak in any way – fundamentally or technically – and we have applied more… read more →
Our asset valuation has stabilised since December. As the half year reporting season progresses minor adjustments have been made to the portfolio. The most significant change is the sale of all our Redflow shares. We have great admiration for the Redflow Zcell and related large scale zinc-bromide batteries, but are… read more →
December 2016 was not our best month. While the ASX All Ordinaries index was up 2.85% for the month, the valuation of our shares was down about the same amount. Overall, our listed green investments did not perform well, but significant falls were experienced by two equity holdings, Bellamy’s Australia… read more →
We have not had a exposure to the retail sector since we divested from JB Hi-Fi (ASX:JBH) after concerns about their move into the low margin white goods sector to compete with the likes of Harvey Norman. Now we have invested into Kathmandu Holdings (ASX:KMD). After a number of bumpy… read more →
After many years out of metal recycler, Sims Metal (ASX: SGM), we are back in. Sims recycling operations are a proxy for iron and coking coal investments, both of which are looking positive at the present time. Sims over recent years have been investing heavily into high tech electronic equipment waste… read more →
We have invested in Sydney Renewable Power Company. This a much larger community solar project than August Investments has invested in so far. Sydney Renewable Power Company will host Sydney’s largest solar installation on the roof of the new Sydney Convention Centre. This is a 520kW solar photovoltaic project, sufficient… read more →
The nature of future changes resulting from recent political upheavals are beginning to become clearer. The first is that interest rates, after years on the slide, are beginning to rise and are expected to rise further. We have reviewed the risks this poses for our investments and are heartened that… read more →
So how has all that affected us? Up till election day, the value of our investments held relatively steady compared to the volatility occurring in general markets. Then we saw significant declines when Trump came up trumps (as it were); only to see values return to normal again today. The… read more →