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Focussing on the quality of a company and how it’s likely to perform is a key part of a high-conviction strategy, says fund manager Claremont Global. It’s also a useful strategy for investors who want access to the AI-fuelled tech phenomenon in the US without getting caught up in the noise.

Tensions in Australia’s relationship with China, along with our neighbour’s weak growth other headwinds, have Australians shying off investing in the world’s second largest economy. But given the countries’ deep connections, ignoring China is easier said than done.

The banking industry’s Scam-Safe Accord aims to “put scammers out of business” through six coordinated initiatives, including name and biometric checks. It’s a good first step for protecting older Australians, who are disproportionately affected by scams, an advocacy group says.

Only Norwegians and Icelanders pay more than Australians for internet access, and Australia’s fixed broadband speeds rank a dismal 92nd globally. But consumers, even those on a fixed income, shouldn’t despair: a little research can save a lot of money.

Greenwashing is still the biggest barrier to uptake of responsible investment strategies, but this and other challenges the ESG sector are facing now are also signs of a proliferating market that’s just picking up speed.

Calling for a product modernisation framework to remove barriers that stop investors from moving to better investments, the peak body said current rules keep too many people stuck in dated, underperforming products, costing retirees and the government big money.

The ASX 200 fell 3.8 per cent over the month, the biggest fall this year, as investors sought to understand the impact of war, economic factors and other concerns on markets at home and abroad, according to Selfwealth.

The list targets domestic and international entities the regulator suspects of offering services to Australians without the appropriate licenses or permission. It already contains more than 1,300 names.

The global energy transition is an unstoppable process with major questions marks still hanging over it, not least among them the economic implications of super-cheap energy once the transition is complete, according to ClearBridge Investments’ Nick Langley.

The Australian small-cap sector is currently trading at a whopping 30 per cent discount, according to new research from Datt Capital, with history suggesting strong returns are likely to follow as active managers continue to show their skill in this buzzing space.

The Australian Shareholders’ Association and the Australian Investors Association have agreed to amalgamate in the new year, seeking to grow their membership and influence as a unified leader in advocacy and education.

The “decidedly subpar” investor experience with managed funds is often down to two factors – overstretched portfolios and human bias – that a high-conviction focus on quality stocks can help avoid, according to Claremont Global’s Bob Desmond.